US Congressman from Texas becomes first Black Caucus member to call for Biden's withdrawal

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth on Friday became the second House Democrat from Texas and the first member of the Congressional Black Caucus to call on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, putting another dent in Biden's armor as he clings to his candidacy.

"Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership, and deep appreciation for everything we have accomplished together during your presidency, it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders," Veasey and Reps. Jared Huffman of California, Chuy Garcia of Illinois and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin wrote in a joint letter sent to Biden and published in a news release Friday.

The announcement comes more than two weeks after U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, became the first Congress member to urge Biden to stand down. Veasey had previously expressed concern about the effect Biden's continued candidacy would have on down-ballot races in comments July 9 to CNN.

"We must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign," the letter said. "Passing the torch would fundamentally change the trajectory of the campaign. It would reinvigorate the race and infuse Democrats with enthusiasm and momentum heading into our convention next month."

While the officials do not explicitly endorse a replacement for Biden at the top of the ticket, the representatives wrote that "Democrats have a deep and talented bench of younger leaders, led by Vice President Kamala Harris."

The lawmakers' note urging Biden to withdraw adds to similar calls from more than a dozen other Congress members. However, it puts Veasey at odds with other Texas members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Democratic Reps. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston have been among Biden's most vocal advocates after support for him plummeted due to his lackluster debate performance in June against former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee.

Recent news reports suggest that Biden might call off his campaign as early as this weekend, but some Congress members have highlighted continued concerns about what a post-primary switch-up could mean.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, one of the most progressive members of Congress, on Thursday night told her Instagram followers that pundits, donors and strategists might be underestimating legal challenges to a convention-day nomination and that the short timeline any new candidate would have to campaign could imperil Democratic chances to keep the White House in November.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Democratic US Rep. Marc Veasey calls on Joe Biden to withdraw