Key House Dem reverses course to back Biden as 2024 nominee, concerns 'besides the point'

Ken Tran and Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY

July 9, 2024 at 10:01 a.m.·1 min read

WASHINGTON - The lead Democrat on the powerful House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday reversed his previous stance that President Joe Biden should step aside as the Democratic presidential nominee.

“Whether or not I have concerns is besides the point. He is going to be our nominee and we all have to support him,” Rep. Jerry Nadler, the ranking member of the Judiciary panel, told reporters before entering a critical closed-door meeting at the party's campaign headquarters on Capitol Hill.

Live blog: Biden faces big day as Democrats meet over calls for president to quit race; live updates

Jan 5, 2023; Washington, DC, USA; Rep. Jerry Nadler reads a book during a session of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, trying to elect a Speaker of the House. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

On Sunday, Nadler during a private call with top House Democrats said 81-year-old Biden should exit the presidential race against Donald Trump. Reps. Adam Smith of Washington, Mark Takano of California and Joe Morelle of New York, also said on the call that Biden should exit the 2024 presidential race.

Biden on Monday sent a letter to congressional Democrats on Monday saying that he would not drop out of the 2024 race.

While Nadler declined to comment on his remarks on the call, he said that Democrats have to stand by Biden.

“I am not going to comment on what I said in a private meeting, but what I will say is the president made very clear yesterday that he’s running and for me that’s positive. We have to support him,” Nadler said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rep. Jerry Nadler backs Biden, says concerns are 'besides the point'

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