Top senators, representatives react to Biden dropping out of 2024 election
Reactions to President Joe Biden's bombshell announcement that he will end his bid for reelection are rolling in from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.
Biden said Sunday that he is dropping out of the race, a historic withdrawal plunging the Democrat party into an unprecedented clamber as the Democratic National Convention approaches in mid-August. The 81-year-old and former vice president has faced immense pressure over the last few weeks from Democratic colleagues over his ability to beat former President Donald Trump in November.
Live Updates: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race amid growing pressure from top Democrats
Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take Biden's place atop the party's ticket. Several prominent Hill leaders such as Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragán, D-Calif., and the entire Congressional Black Caucus, joined in, though a number of Democrats called instead for an open nomination process.
Biden made the announcement Sunday from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., where he's self-isolated since testing positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.
It throws the 2024 race ? already roiled by an attempt on Trump's life at a campaign rally last week ? into unprecedented territory.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term."
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer applauds Biden for putting “his party, and our future first.”
“Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first,” Schumer said in a statement Sunday, adding: “Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American."
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, said in a statement, "I am so proud to call Joe my President, and I have such a profound respect for his willingness to pass the torch."
"We must beat Donald Trump — and I know Kamala Harris can win. I am behind Vice President Harris one-hundred percent — she is exactly the woman we need to prosecute the case against Donald Trump, save American democracy, lead the fight to restore abortion rights, and build an economy that puts working people — not billionaires —first," she said.
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson says the president should resign his presidency immediately, brushes off Harris election chances.
Congressional Republican leaders were bullish about their chances of beating Harris.
“The party’s prospects are no better now with Vice President Kamala Harris, who co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden Administration. As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice — not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity, but also in the largest political coverup in U.S. history. She has known for as long as anyone of his incapacity to serve,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.
Earlier Sunday he indicated that Democrats would face legal challenges supported by the Republican National Committee if they tried to change candidates.
Johnson also joined a chorus of Republicans who have indicated that Biden needs to resign the presidency.
“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough,” Johnson said.
Republicans appeared to coalesce around calling for Biden’s Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Biden from office if he will not step down.
“If Biden is willing to admit that he can’t defeat President Trump and can’t serve a second term, how can we be sure he can even finish the rest of his current term? The executive cabinet must invoke the 25th Amendment if Biden does not resign. Our national security depends on it,” Florida Rep. Ana Luna said in a statement.
If Biden were to step down, it would rob Democrats of their tie breaker in the Senate. The vice president replacement would be nominated by Harris, but would have to be confirmed by the Senate, something that would be particularly difficult if Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., resigns following his felony conviction last week.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell didn’t directly address whether Harris should be the vice president, but said, “We cannot afford four more years of failure.”
“Unfortunately, the Democratic Party has been busy in recent weeks trying to upend the expressed will of the American people in primary elections across the country. Washington Democrats have not proven themselves any more capable than the President of delivering the secure borders, safe streets, and stable prices that working families deserve.
House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries praises Biden's accomplishments, mum on Harris
House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., issued a statement that praised Biden's accomplishments as president but did not address whether Harris should be the nominee. "America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful," he said.
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, the lone Democrat in Tennessee's congressional delegation said about Harris, "She has the prosecutorial chops to make mincemeat of the mendacious malefactor Trump."
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Congress reacts to Biden dropping out, endorsement of Harris
