- Biden spoke of the past traditions of bipartisanship from his tenure in the Senate.
- He called Jeffries “the guy who will be the next speaker of the House.”
President Joe Biden predicted that Democrats would sweep away the Republican House of Representatives in the November elections, adding the comment to a speech whose main theme was bipartisan cooperation.
Biden, 81, who is engaged in a fierce battle against Donald Trump, made the comment in introductory remarks at the annual congressional picnic at the White House. He reviewed the top Democratic leaders who were there, in an event that even top Republican leaders skipped but which featured rank-and-file lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
Biden mentioned “the guy who will be the next Speaker of the House, Hakeem Jeffries,” after acknowledging Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, whose majority status could be in jeopardy as several Senate Democrats face tough races.
Biden also praised Senate Democratic leader Richard Durbin of Illinois and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom he called “the greatest speaker in American history.”
When it came time to recognize former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Biden received a response from first lady Jill Biden when she asked him the always risky crowd question: “Where’s Steny Hoyer?”
“He’s sitting by the beer,” chimed in Jill Biden, who also spoke.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed lawmakers to the White House, at an event where Biden said Democrat Hakeem Jeffries would be the next president.
Biden then appeared to take a good-natured dig at Maryland, where a Senate seat is up for grabs this election cycle.
“Steny Hoyer lives on the western shore of Delaware, Maryland,” he joked.
The comment about Jeffries, who many experts believe could be promoted after a year of extraordinary dysfunction in the Republican-controlled House, came in a speech in which Biden discussed moments during his 36-year career in the that legislators spent more time together. .
The event brought together Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R), a fierce Donald Trump loyalist.
Biden stopped to take selfies at the event
The president spoke about his time in the Senate dining room
The event featured beer and lemonade.
The event brought together Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R).
Pretty Enthusiastic in Pink: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and his wife Ginger attend the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., on July 19, 2023.
Hakeem Jeffries would likely be the next president if Democrats take the House
Biden briefly acknowledged Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), sitting with White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients (R).
Biden even mentioned overseas congressional delegations that spouses could attend.
‘It’s a camera. “At that time we all got along well, although we had real differences,” he said.
Biden also said he had “a little bit of a sore throat” as he prepares to travel to France to mark the anniversary of D-Day.
