Capitol Hill has become the center of attention this week, Democratic leaders are facing tough decisions about whether Biden should remain the party's nominee. So far, 13 House Democrats and one Senate Democrat have publicly called for Biden to withdraw, raising questions about the future of the Democratic Party and the upcoming election.

What?

A growing number of Democratic lawmakers are calling for President Joe Biden to step aside in the 2024 race. This is a Biden age issue- a 85% of Americans now believe  Biden is too old to run for the presidency. The calls come after his recent debate performance, which has sparked concerns about his ability to lead the party to victory. In a high stakes cnew conference today, Biden introduced president Zelensky as “president Putin.” As the debate on Capitol Hill intensifies, the Democratic Party faces internal disagreements on whether Kamala Harris should be the nominee.

When?

The calls for Biden to step aside began in early July when Lloyd Doggett of Texas became the first Democratic lawmaker to suggest that Biden should bow out of the race. Since then, the calls have grown, with more lawmakers joining each week. The Biden age issue has gained momentum as the party prepares for the November election, with significant decisions expected in the coming months.

Why?

Lawmakers are concerned about Biden's age and ability to effectively campaign and lead the party to victory in the 2024 election. They cite his recent debate performance and the need for a new generation of leaders. Some argue that Biden's continued candidacy could risk a second term for former President Donald Trump. Others believe that Bieden should step aside so as to cement his legacy as a great president who recognized the need for change.

Who?

Democrats who’ve withdrawn support for Biden on account of his age:

1.    Lloyd Doggett of Texas became the first Democratic lawmaker to call for President Biden to drop out, stating on July 2 that he was "hopeful that [Mr. Biden] will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw."

2.    Raul Grijalva of Arizona echoed this sentiment on July 3, telling The New York Times that Biden should shoulder the responsibility by exiting the race.

3.    Seth Moulton of Massachusetts suggested on July 7 that Biden should follow George Washington's example by not running for another term, saying, "He defeated Donald Trump once and then he was willing to hand power over to a new generation of leaders."

4.    Mike Quigley of Illinois urged Biden to step down on July 5, asserting that the president's legacy is already set and that stepping down would prevent an "utter catastrophe."

5.    Angie Craig of Minnesota, who represents a key swing district, called for Biden to step aside on July 6, citing the risk of a second Trump presidency as too great to ignore.

6.    Adam Smith of Washington, on July 8, called for Biden to end his candidacy as soon as possible, arguing that Biden can no longer meet the burden of a presidential candidate.

7.    Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, after a closed-door meeting among House Democrats on July 9, praised Biden's presidency but asked him to declare that he won't run for reelection.

8.    Pat Ryan of New York, on July 10, asked Biden to step aside to allow for a new generation of leaders, emphasizing that Biden is a patriot but is no longer the best candidate to defeat Trump.

9.    Earl Blumenauer of Oregon wrote on July 10 that he hoped Biden and first lady Jill Biden would come to the conclusion that the president should not be the Democratic nominee, arguing that it would serve everyone better.

10.  Hillary Scholten of Michigan, in a statement on July 11, praised Biden's first-term accomplishments but called for him to step aside for the good of democracy, saying it's time to pass the torch.

11.  Brad Schneider of Illinois suggested on July 11 that it was time for Biden to heroically pass the torch to a new generation of leadership, giving him a chance to seal his place in history.

12.  Ed Case of Hawaii, also on July 11, called for Biden to withdraw, questioning his ability to handle another term and emphasizing that his decision was not about Biden's character but about his capacity for the role.

13.  Greg Stanton of Arizona took to social media to suggest that Biden should step aside for the sake of American democracy, stressing the importance of continuing to make progress on shared priorities.

Additionally, in an op-ed, Senator Peter Welch of Vermont became the first senator to call for Biden to withdraw from the race, citing national concerns about his age and capacity.

Where?

Biden's calls to step aside come from various parts of the United States. Lawmakers from states like Texas, Arizona, Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota, Washington, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Michigan, Hawaii, and California have voiced their concerns. The debate has been particularly heated on Capitol Hill, where Democratic lawmakers are facing pressure from both sides of the argument.

How?

The lawmakers have expressed their views through various channels, including statements to the media, social media posts, and interviews. For example, Raul Grijalva of Arizona told The New York Times that Biden should shoulder the responsibility of keeping his seat by exiting the race. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts suggested that Biden should follow George Washington's example and not run for another term. Angie Craig of Minnesota released a statement calling on Biden to step aside for the sake of the country.

Now What?

The debate about Biden’s capacity and mental acuity is expected to continue as the 2024 election approaches. Some lawmakers are calling for unequivocal support for Biden, while others continue to press for a change in leadership. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries plans to convey the growing concerns of the caucus directly to Biden. Meanwhile, Biden has made it clear that he intends to stay in the race, emphasizing his belief that he is the best candidate to defeat Trump. As the situation develops, the Democratic Party must navigate these internal conflicts to present a united front in the upcoming election.