WASHINGTON: Democratic US lawmakers huddled for nearly two hours on Tuesday, only to emerge without a consensus on whether to fall in line behind President Joe Biden`s resolve to pursue his reelection bid.

Democrats in the House of Representatives met behind closed doors at party headquarters after Biden defiantly rejected calls from a handful of members to end his campaign for the Nov 5 election following a disastrous debate last month with rival Donald Trump.

Asked whether Democrats were on the same page as he exited the meeting, US Representative Steve Cohen replied, `We`re not even in the same book.

No new public defections were on display, after a halfdozen members of the House of Representatives called on the 81-year-old Biden to step aside and allow someone elseto face the Republican Trump, 78.

`He just has to step down.

He can`t win,` US Representative Mike Quigley, one of the six lawmakers who urged Biden to end his campaign, said on his way into the meeting. `My colleagues need to recognise that.

While the discussion failed to heal the intra-party rift, many Democratic lawmakers left the meeting telling reporters that they either back Biden now or would if he was formally nominated at the party`s convention in August.

Republicans hold a 220-213 majority in the House, and Democrats face a far tougher path to protect their 51-49 Senate majority, as they are defending multiple seats in Republican-leaning states.

Even some who support Biden staying the course have voiced concern about his chances since his halting June 27 debate performance, whichraised fresh questions about his ability to mount a successful campaign and to keep up with a grueling job for another 4-1/2 years.

Biden also spoke with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, whose backing may help shore up his campaign given the importance of Black voters to the party`s base. The caucus chairman, Representative Steve Horsford, said on Monday that he still supported Biden as the nominee.

Some Democrats compared Tuesday`s discussion to a family argument. Representative Lou Correa urged colleagues tokeepvoicingtheir opinions, adding, `This is democracy.

Others expressed frustration that the party was focused on Biden`s shortcomings rather than unifying against Trump.

Senate Democrats were expected to discuss Biden during their weekly policy lunch meeting.-Reuters