Congressional leaders privately suggest they’re open to new Democratic ticket as Biden campaign spirals

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are both making moves behind the scenes as President Joe Biden remains in damage control mode following his disastrous debate on June 27.

While Schumer has signaled to donorsthat he’s open to a ticket not topped by Biden, Pelosi is privately urging swing seat Democrats to do whatever they have to do to save their jobs, even if that means publicly calling for Biden to step aside.

The Senate leader’s private take on the situation has differed from his public statements, which have been strongly supportive of Biden, Axios reported.

Schumer has been fielding input from donors over the last couple of weeks about what’s the best path forward, three people familiar with the situation told the outlet. The leader is one of the few Democrats — along with former President Barack Obama and Pelosi — who has the political standing and personal relationship with the president to possibly convince him to step aside.

Meanwhile, Biden has continued to insist he has no plans to ditch the race.

“As I have made clear repeatedly publicly and privately, I support President Biden and remain committed to ensuring Donald Trump is defeated in November,” Schumer told Axios.

The outlet reported that he has not made any suggestions about who could replace Biden at the top of the ticket.

Pelosi appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Wednesday, where she refused to say if she thinks Biden should remain at the top of the ticket — and suggested the president still has time to change his mind.

“It’s up to the president to [decide] if he’s going to run. We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short,” she said.

Pelosi has suggested in private