Biden huddles with CBC members amid 'segregationist' controversy

Senior members of the Congressional Black Caucus huddled with Joe Biden Thursday night, as the former vice president and 2020 hopeful remained defiant amid criticism over his comments about working with segregationists in the Senate.

Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), who serves as co-chairman of Biden’s campaign, confirmed the meeting to POLITICO as he left the Capitol Thursday night after a lengthy vote series.

“It’s just a few people,” Richmond said.

The meeting had been scheduled for members to discuss criminal justice reform. But it comes after Biden made controversial remarks at a fundraiser Tuesday about working with segregationists in the Senate during a time of “civility.” Biden remarked that then-Sen. James O. Eastland of Mississippi, who once called black people “slimy” and “flesh eaters,” never called him a “boy.”

“This has nothing to do with that,” Richmond said of Biden’s comments about working with segregationists.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) were also invited to the meeting, according to a source familiar with the huddle.

Clyburn wasn't able to attend the meeting, according to a source.

Members of the CBC jumped to Biden’s defense on Wednesday, even as other Democratic presidential candidates piled on, demanding that he apologize.

“You don’t have to agree with people to work with them,” Clyburn told POLITICO, mentioning his ability to work with his home-state Sen. Strom Thurmond, an avowed segregationist, “all my life.”

A defiant Biden refused to apologize on Wednesday, even as his opponents, including Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) — both members of the CBC — denounced his remarks.

“Apologize for what?” Biden told reporters. “There’s not a racist bone in my body.”