Updated Jul 17, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Schumer, Jeffries quietly pushed to delay Biden nomination vote

Hakeem Jeffries, wearing a gray suit, and Chuck Schumer, wearing a blue suit, outside the White House. — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer outside the White House on Feb. 27, 2024.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) collaborated to delay the process for formalizing President Biden as Democrats' nominee, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: It's a signal that the congressional leaders sympathize with rank-and-file Democrats who want more time to address concerns about Biden's ability to defeat former President Trump.

The Democratic National Committee said Wednesday they won't hold their virtual roll call vote before August, providing that critical room.

What we're hearing: Schumer and Jeffries spoke and agreed to both push back against a virtual roll call vote in July, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Dozens of rank-and-file Democrats had signed on to a letter urging the DNC not to hold an early virtual roll call vote, but that effort was scrapped on Wednesday.
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the organizer of the letter, touted the DNC's delay as a victory while adding, "We will continue to see how this evolves."

Zoom out: After a brief moratorium in the aftermath of Saturday's assassination attempt against former President Trump, Biden skeptics on Capitol Hill are once again speaking out.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) released a statement Wednesday afternoon calling for the president to "pass the torch," becoming the most high-profile Democratic lawmaker urging Biden to drop out.

Add Axios on Google

Schumer, Jeffries quietly pushed to delay Biden nomination vote

What to read next