While the US president’s prolonged absence from office is provoking various theories in the American society, Kamala Harris is well on her way to becoming a candidate for the presidency, American media reported.
Kamala Harris has enough votes to be nominated for the election
US Vice President Kamala Harris has secured enough delegate votes to clinch the nomination for the Democratic presidential nomination, AP News reports.
Harris has the support of at least 2,579 delegates, with 1,976 single-party votes required to approve her nomination in the first round. The official Republican Party nominee for the presidential election is Donald Trump, who will run with J.D. Vance for vice president.
Harris plans to be the Democratic nominee by August 7
The Democratic Party plans to nominate a new candidate for the upcoming US presidential election by August 7, The New York Times reported quoting Democratic National Committee Chairman Jamie Harrison and Rules Committee Co-Chair Mignon Moore as saying on Monday.
Harrison said:
The Democratic Party will select its presidential nominee in an online vote by August 7.
A date for the vote has not yet been named. Moore stressed that the nomination process will be as quick and transparent as possible despite the tight deadline.
The party’s convention will be held on August 19 and the candidate selection process should be completed two weeks before that date.
Nancy Pelosi endorsed the candidacy of Kamala Harris
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president Monday afternoon almost 24 hours after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed Harris.
Pelosi said in a statement:
Today, it is with immense pride and limitless optimism for our country’s future that I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. My enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris is official, personal and political.
Biden delegated his authority on the Ukraine Support Act
US President Joe Biden has delegated some of the functions and powers within the framework of the implementation of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act to the heads of the US Treasury Department and the State Department, according to a document on the White House website.
The head of the US Treasury Department Janet Yellen has been delegated the authority to require financial institutions to notify the authorities about Russian assets and provide Congress with a report on the state of Russian assets – previously these functions were assigned to the president.
State Department head Antony Blinken has been delegated the authority to restrict the transfer of funds from the Ukraine Support Fund and to report to Congress on the funds in the fund.
Biden held virtual meetings with national security officials
US President Joe Biden held online meetings with national security officials, the White House said, amid speculation about the death of the head of state.
The report said:
Biden received a briefing on homeland security topics from Liz Sherwood-Randal, assistant to the president and homeland security adviser. The president also heard a briefing on the topic of homeland security from his adviser, Jake Sullivan. Both briefings were conducted virtually.
Biden tested positive for a coronavirus on July 18, after which he cancelled a speech at the Unidos US conference in Las Vegas and went into self-isolation. The White House reported that the US president continues to perform his duties remotely. Representatives of the Republican Party amid speculation about Biden’s death demanded proof that he was alive.
On 22 July, Biden’s attending physician Kevin O’Connor reported that the symptoms of the coronavirus in the head of state have almost disappeared. According to his address, which was published on the White House website, his pulse, blood pressure and temperature remain normal, and his lungs are clear. The US president continues to fulfil his duties.
Biden promises not leave his post before the deadline
US President Joe Biden has no plans to step down from his post early after his decision to withdraw from the presidential race, POLITICO reports, citing sources in the Democratic Party.
The party member stressed:
There is not the slightest chance that Joe Biden plans to resign.
The incumbent US president intends to focus on his work for the remainder of his presidential term and hand over to Vice President Kamala Harris a “worthy legacy” in domestic and foreign policy affairs.
Earlier, Michael Werz, a senior fellow at the Centre for American Progress (CAP) in Washington, D.C., said many US lawmakers are concerned about Harris’ desire to become head of state.
The White House announced Biden’s return
According to the president’s schedule released on Tuesday, the White House chief of staff will leave his self-imposed isolation at his home at the Rehoboth Beach resort in Delaware on July 23 and two hours later hold a regular briefing at his workplace.
