Capitol Hill Dems warm to Biden as party’s nominee but concerns linger after private discussions

Congressional Democrats are starting to coalesce behind President Biden as the party’s nominee, but private caucus meetings on Tuesday did little to quell factions that harbor doubts about his ability to win and serve a second term.

The vast majority of Democrats are standing by Mr. Biden but acknowledge some of their colleagues, reflecting views from their constituents, still worry he’s too old for the job.

“Democrats, it’s our nature to be independent,” said Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, Massachusetts Democrat. “But I think in the end, if the president is committed to making this run, every Democrat will be with him.”

Rep. Jared Huffman, California Democrat, said the force driving concerns among some in the party — the desire to prevent former President Donald Trump from holding office again — is the same thing that will bring the doubters back on board.

“We’re a family and we’re going to work this out, and we’re going to win an election that we need to win,” he said.

House Democrats held a closed-door meeting Tuesday morning at their campaign headquarters to privately air their views about Mr. Biden remaining the party’s nominee.

Senate Democrats held their own discussion about Mr. Biden on Tuesday, shoehorning it into their normal weekly caucus lunch meeting, which ran longer than usual.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, retiring Michigan Democrat and a member of the party’s leadership, declined to say whether anyone called for Mr. Biden to step aside as the nominee, noting, “This was a private family discussion.”

Most senators took the private part to heart and declined to comment or gave brief, vague answers.

“Constructive discussion” is all Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia Democrat, would say in response to a spattering of reporter questions.

The Washington Post reported last week that Mr. Warner planned to gather concerned Senate Democrats together to discuss potentially urging Mr. Biden to drop out, but he did not follow through after the news leaked. Instead, he issued a statement Monday urging “conversations about the strongest path forward.”

Mr. Warner, who suggested Mr. Biden “more aggressively make his case to the American people,” and other senators who issued similar statements on Monday did not seem eager to go beyond that after Tuesday’s meeting.

Not a single senator has publicly called on Mr. Biden to step aside.

Some House Democrats also said they have outstanding concerns that Mr. Biden needs to address.

“Stop talking about us, stop calling into ’Morning Joe’ and saying, ’You know, I’m frustrated with my colleagues on the Hill.’ Go out there and make the case with the American people about the existential threat that Donald Trump poses to our democracy and our lives,” said Rep. Greg Landsman, Ohio Democrat. “And do it day in and day out for the next couple of weeks, and things will change.”

At least two of the six House Democrats who publicly called on Mr. Biden to step aside before the meeting — Reps. Lloyd Doggett of Texas and Mike Quigley of Illinois — said they reiterated their concerns about keeping Mr. Biden as the nominee. But in a sign that party unity may be coming, both said they would support the president if he secures the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August.

But hours after the meeting a seventh House Democrat joined those calling on Mr. Biden to pass the torch to a new leader. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Democrat, said in a statement that faced with the possibility of Mr. Trump returning to office, “the stakes are too high — and the threat is too real — to stay silent.”

“I realize this is hard, but we have done hard things in pursuit of democracy since the founding of this nation,” she said. “It is time to do so again.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters that his caucus would continue to have “candid and comprehensive” conversations throughout the week. But his leadership deputies offered pretty clear signals about where the party stands.

“Right now, President Biden is the nominee and we support the Democratic nominee that will beat Donald Trump. That is a fact,” said Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, California Democrat.

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, declined to characterize the views in his caucus, repeatedly offering a one-line answer to questions: “As I’ve said before — I’m with Joe.”

• Kerry Picket and Mallory Wilson contributed to this report.