Houston Congressional Democrats Endorse Biden After Debate

HOUSTON — Pressure continues to mount on President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race after his poor performance in last week’s debate, which raised new questions about the president’s health and fitness for office.

Today, a Democrat in Congress is urging Biden to step down.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett is the first Democratic member of Congress to speak publicly, but for now, he stands alone.

Democrats who make up Houston’s congressional delegation have said they support Biden.

Meanwhile, President Biden was back in public Tuesday to address climate change as his political future remains in tension.

“We understand, we don’t want to denigrate what you all saw, or what the American people saw,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said. “We understand it was a bad night.”

Congressman Doggett was on CNN Tuesday night to discuss his decision to speak out publicly against the president.

“I salute President Biden, I just think it’s time for him to step down,” Doggett said.

Congressman Al Green sees it differently.

“I’m not at all disturbed by the debate, a debate does not a campaign make,” Green said.

He admits the president had a bad debate, but said Biden’s record still makes him the best person to beat Trump again.

“I’m with him until he says otherwise,” Green said. “I’m with ‘old Joe Biden.’ And I say old, because he’s old, but he’s effective.”

Still, support for Biden is thinning among key Democrats and donors. Biden will seek to allay those growing concerns Wednesday when he meets with Democratic governors and congressional leaders.

Biden is expected to accept his party’s nomination in Chicago in just 48 days.

“I think he’s the best candidate we can have without creating chaos like we’ve never seen before,” Green said.

KHOU 11 News reached out to all the congressional Democrats in the Houston area. Here are their responses:

MP Lizzie Fletcher:

“President Biden has shown courage for our country and accomplished great things during his presidency and his life of public service. President Trump has a history of undermining our democracy and our freedoms. The 2024 election presents us with a choice between two very different visions of our future: President Biden’s vision that advances America for all Americans, or President Trump’s vision that reverses our progress, denies our freedom, and divides our country. It is clear which candidate is best for America and Americans.”

MP Sylvia Garcia:

“I respect Rep. Doggett’s position, but I do not share it. I support Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and will work hard to get them re-elected.”

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee tweeted her support for the president on “X.”

Marcelino Benito on social networks: Facebook | X | Instagram