President Joe Biden’s reelection bid faces a key stress test Tuesday, as House and Senate Democrats huddle separately for frank discussions about their party’s standard bearer — and whether he can effectively challenge former President Donald Trump this fall.
First up are House Democrats at a meeting Tuesday morning off the Hill. Senate Democrats will then gather for their weekly caucus luncheon in the early afternoon.
Biden huddled with the Congressional Black Caucus on Monday evening, arguably his most loyal group of supporters on the Hill. But many Democrats — even those publicly supportive of the president — are still privately worried about his candidacy.
One eye-catching comment came from Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a disciplined party messenger and president pro tem of the Senate. “I believe President Biden must do more to demonstrate he can campaign strong enough to beat Donald Trump,” she said in a statement. “We need to see a much more forceful and energetic candidate on the campaign trail in the very near future … President Biden must seriously consider the best way to preserve his incredible legacy and secure it for the future.”
Biden, of course, has remained resolute, saying he has no intention of abandoning his reelection bid. But he has thus far not indicated any plans to address Democrats in person.
In non-Biden news: The House will hold two series of votes in the afternoon and consider legislation revoking energy efficiency standards for dishwashers and refrigerators.
Over in the Senate, lawmakers will vote on the nomination of Patricia Lee to be a member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, and in the afternoon will consider two judicial nominations.
