Four more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out of race

Biden has said he will stay in the race

Four House Democrats issued a joint statement on Friday calling on President Biden to exit the presidential race, adding to the significant pressure he is already facing to drop out.

Democratic Reps. Jared Huffman of California, Marc Veasey of Texas, Chuy Garcia of Illinois, and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin said in a statement, "Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership, and deep appreciation for everything we have accomplished together during your presidency, it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders."

"We must defeat Donald Trump to save our democracy, protect our alliances and the rules-based international order, and continue building on the strong foundation you have established over the past four years," they said.

"At this point, however, we must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign. These perceptions may not be fair, but they have hardened in the aftermath of last month's debate and are now unlikely to change. We believe the most responsible and patriotic thing you can do in this moment is to step aside as our nominee while continuing to lead our party from the White House," the lawmakers explained.

They referred to a "deep and talented bench of younger leaders" in the party who are "led by Vice President Kamala Harris."

"Passing the torch would fundamentally change the trajectory of the campaign. It would reinvigorate the race and infuse Democrats with enthusiasm and momentum heading into our convention next month," they concluded.

There are now 27 Congressional Democrats who have called on Biden to step aside. More than 10% of Democrats in Congress have made such calls on the president.