By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members met with President Joe Biden virtually on the evening of July 8.
The meeting came after a number of House Democrats asked the president to end his reelection campaign following a shaky performance during a presidential debate moderated by CNN’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper on June 27.
As Biden fights to save his bid for reelection, he has decided to partner with Black lawmakers who could be the answer to defeating former President Donald Trump.
Black voters were key to Biden’s election in 2020 and could remain the key to his success in the 2024 election.
During the private discussion Biden thanked the Democratic lawmakers for their support, talked about what is at risk during this election cycle and the role he would like the CBC to play in his campaign.
The president and CBC members also talked about how they should coordinate messaging and engagement with voters to increase voter turnout on November 5.
Following the meeting CBC Chairman Steven Horsford, (D-Nev.) publicly showed his support for the president.
“President Joe Biden is the nominee and has been selected by millions of voters across this country,” said Horsford. “They know President Biden and Vice President Harris are fighting for them…they don’t want to see Donald Trump back in the White House.”
U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo, (D-R.I.) also attended the meeting and said the Biden-Harris administration has “delivered” legislation on behalf of all Americans and that he is in the president’s “corner.”
“I’m talking record job creation, lower costs for seniors and families, overdue gun violence prevention laws and historic action to address the climate crisis. These aren’t just my opinions, these are cold hard facts,” said Amo.
The Rhode Island lawmaker added that the consequence of not voting for Biden would result in the reelection of Trump.
“Trump offers the dark and dangerous vision outlined in Project 2025. It’s an agenda chock full of retribution, lies and grievance politics,” stated Amo. “That is what we must constantly hammer home because it’s what is at stake in this election.”
U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, (D-Ill.) said that before he went into the meeting, he was a Biden supporter and after leaving the meeting that remained unchanged.
“I didn’t change my mind. I was always with him, never wavered and I want to do more for the campaign,” said Jackson.
On July 9, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a briefing and told reporters that Biden received positive feedback from other CBC members.
U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, (D-Ohio-3) told Jean-Pierre that, “The call went extremely well and the president was very responsive.”
U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, (D-La.-2) said that he was excited “to hear directly from the president that he is all in.”
Jean-Pierre told reporters that the president may host another meeting with Black lawmakers as the election draws nearer.