Congressional Hispanic Caucus endorses Biden amid growing concerns about his mental fitness

NEW YORK CITY - As President Joe Biden faces continued criticism from within his party for deciding to stay in the race for the 2024 general election, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has endorsed him, emphasizing the incumbent's commitment to advancing Latino rights.

The endorsement came in a statement from caucus chair Nanette Barragan, D-Calif., and deputy caucus chair Adriano Espaillat, D-NY.

"We stand with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris," the caucus leaders said in a statement. "For the last year and a half, the Biden-Harris Administration partnered with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' initiative to take CHC on the Road. Through that initiative we have worked to empower Latino communities across the country."

The statement also noted First Lady Jill Biden's commitment to the group, mentioning a visit she made to Allentown, Pa., where more than half of the town is Latino, as well as the administration's investments on issues that disproportionately affect Latinos, like climate change, healthcare costs and access to healthcare for veterans.

The caucus also mentioned Biden's recently-enacted sweeping executive order to protect spouses of American citizens from deportation and grant them job permits. According to the statement, passing that legislation was one of the CHC's top priorities.

"We look forward to our continued partnership on the road and legislative wins to benefit the American people."

The CHC is not the first group in Congress to officially back Biden. In fact, the Congressional Black Caucus made a similar announcement following the controversial debate performance. Biden met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus on Monday night, where the campaign said he would "discuss the stakes of the 2024 elections and their shared commitment to beating Donald Trump this November."

The Hispanic Caucus' backing also comes as President Biden tells Democrats in a letter that he will continue his reelection bid despite mounting concerns about his mental fitness and the viability of his campaign.

"I want you to know that despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump," the 81-year-old President wrote in the letter.

In that same document, Biden sought to put growing concerns about his viability to rest in the forcefully worded letter, CNN reports.

"The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it's time for it to end. We have one job. And that is to beat Donald Trump. We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election. Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us," Biden argued. "It is time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump."