Hill Democrats Wonder If Biden Is Even Listening

Does the president really only take advice from the Lord Almighty? “I’m pretty sure he was kidding,” Rep. Mike Quigley said. “I hope he was.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of N.Y., and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y.

Democrats in both the House and Senate are increasingly calling on the president to make way for a new candidate who might stand a better chance against Donald Trump. Evan Vucci/AP

Joe Biden has said he might consider getting out of the presidential race if the Lord Almighty comes down from heaven and tells him to. And Biden doesn’t expect that: “The Lord Almighty’s not coming down,” he predicted last week.

Some Democratic lawmakers are starting to wish he would — or that Biden would at least be willing to listen to their advice too.

Democrats in both the House and Senate are increasingly calling on the president to make way for a new candidate who might stand a better chance against Donald Trump and not hurt their own chances at reelection. As they urge him to step aside, their influence is being put to the test.