Biden’s future in the balance as Democrats return to Washington – US politics live

Both houses reconvene for first time since presidential debate as Democratic lawmakers will face pressure to reveal if they back Biden or not

• Democrats to face pressure of revealing if they back Biden as Congress reconvenes

Good morning, US politics blog readers. All eyes will be on the Capitol today, as the House of Representatives and Senate reconvene for the first time since the presidential debate late last month, during which Joe Biden’s lethargic performance raised anew concerns about his fitness to lead for another four years. Despite the president’s insistence, including in a closely watched ABC News interview on Friday, that he is not giving up, Democratic lawmakers will be under pressure to weigh in on if they believe that choice is wise, or if the president should step aside and put the party in the risky and unprecedented position of selecting a new candidate less than four months before the election. All signs point to deep divides among Democrats over this question, particularly House lawmakers, who have been more vocal. Yesterday, several veteran representatives reportedly told minority leader Hakeem Jeffries during a private call that they though it would be better if Biden quit, joining a small group who have already said so publicly. But other lawmakers say they continue to back Biden, while an even greater number have not spoken at all. We will see if any others make their views known today.

Here are some other things to know:

Biden has nothing public on his schedule today, nor does Kamala Harris, who would immediately be in the spotlight, if he chooses not to continue his run. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will take questions from reporters at 1.30pm ET.

Nato leaders are heading to Washington DC this week for a summit focused on global security – but they, too, are aware of and concerned about Biden’s debate performance.

Texas and Nevada, the latter a swing state that may be pulling out of Democrats’ orbit, will both be getting visits from Biden next week, the White House announced. The president will mark the 60th anniversary of the civil rights act in Austin, before heading to Las Vegas to address the annual conventions of Black and Hispanic civil rights groups.