Chuck Schumer has the same three-word answer anytime he’s asked about the election prospects of President Joe Biden: “I’m with Joe.”

The Senate majority leader said the same phrase three times on Tuesday during his weekly press conference, when reporters asked about the incumbent’s viability in defeating former President Donald Trump.

“As I’ve said before, I’m with Joe,” Schumer said, declining to offer further insight into what Democrats discussed at their weekly lunch meeting.

Schumer declined to state whether he agreed with Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), another member of Democratic leadership, that Biden “must do more” to reassure Democrats and needs to be “a much more forceful and energetic candidate on the campaign trail in the very near future.”

The New York Democrat has been sparing in his public comments about Biden since the president’s shaky debate performance against Trump. He’s offered some version of the line he used Tuesday during an event in upstate New York and then upon returning to Washington on Monday.

Biden waited nearly a week after his debate performance to call Schumer and other senior Democrats in Congress.

No Senate Democrats have publicly called for Biden to abandon his reelection bid, though plenty have expressed concerns publicly — and privately — about his ability to vigorously make the case against Trump as polls show the incumbent steadily trailing. Lawmakers were largely mum on their conference discussion as they exited lunches Tuesday afternoon.

Related posts:

‘We are sleepwalking’: Senate Dem operatives privately warn about rough road ahead ‘There is a big problem’: Senators unite to slam FOIA compliance McCarthy: Cawthorn’s ‘lost my trust’ following orgy and cocaine comments Senior Pence adviser to testify before Jan. 6 committee Trump taps firm to handle his Jan. 6 committee subpoena Jordan girds for one last long-shot play in his flailing speaker bid ‘The greatest name in politics’: A quick guide to Patrick McHenry Where do we go from here? Here are four possible scenarios for how the House speaker mess works itself out. Kildee not seeking reelection to Michigan House seat Democrats in Senate, House discuss conditioning military aid to Israel China committee Republicans: Biden’s request for Taiwan aid is ‘wholly inadequate’ Hill Dems brace for fight over Biden’s future to get worse