Democratic House leader Jeffries, Deluzio defend Biden during Pittsburgh airport visit

House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated his support of President Joe Biden during a visit Monday to Pittsburgh International Airport and used the infrastructure improvements underway there as a reason to talk up the president in the face of his recent poor debate performance.

Jeffries, of New York, said at a press conference that Biden had a bad debate, but that it shouldn’t sway voters away from backing him.

Jeffries’ vocal support Monday was more forceful than his initial comments to the press following the debate Thursday, indicating the most powerful Democrat in the U.S. House is upping his support for Biden among calls for the president to drop out.

He lauded Biden’s role in passing the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law, which Jeffries said is helping to fund the airport’s modernization project.

“It was one debate, as compared to an incredible track record of success that President Biden has had over his three-and-a-half years,” Jeffries said. “He has made the success of this project possible. All across the country, we are creating millions of good-paying union jobs by fixing our crumbling bridges, roads, tunnels, mass transit systems and airports.”

Jeffries was joined by U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall, whose district includes the airport.

Deluzio had not commented on Biden’s debate performance until Monday. He said he was still supporting Biden, but acknowledged it was a tough night for the president.

When asked about criticisms that Biden is losing cognitive abilities, Deluzio defended the president and spoke of his time traveling with the president in February on a trip to Beaver County and the East Palestine train derailment site.

Deluzio said Biden was “crisp” and responsive during his meeting with first responders and local officials in Beaver County.

He didn’t linger on Biden’s debate performance and instead criticized former President Donald Trump for his numerous lies during the debate.

Deluzio said Trump is too dangerous to support.

“I think I also heard Donald Trump lie probably 30 times,” Deluzio said. “I heard him say he won’t respect the election results, and I continue to think he is a significant threat to our freedom and this democracy.”

Jeffires was visiting the region to tour the ongoing $1.5 billion modernization project at the airport. He praised the work being done by regional union members and highlighted Deluzio’s role in helping to secure tens of millions of dollars in federal investment for the airport and surrounding area.

Deluzio represents Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District — a swing district that could be crucial in determining which party controls the U.S. House. Republicans currently have a slim majority.

The 17th District includes all of Beaver County as well as suburban communities in Allegheny County’s North Hills and Allegheny Valley, and several boroughs just east of Pittsburgh.

When asked about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday that former presidents have some immunity from prosecution, Jeffries said the court has done an injustice to the standard of American democracy.

“In America the foundational principles first established in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1787 is that no one is above the law,” Jeffries said. “This is not a country of kings, or monarchs, or dictators. We are a democracy.”

Some members of the Democratic caucus, like U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, have supported introducing articles of impeachment against conservative justices on the Supreme Court.

Jeffries said his caucus “has not had an opportunity to have a discussion about the implications of the Supreme Court decision,” when asked about what Congress should do in response.