Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill, facing a reckoning on the Biden campaign for Democrats.

A reckoning looms.

Mark it on your calendar.

It will begin Monday night on Capitol Hill.

The House Democratic Caucus and Senate Democratic Caucus met on Tuesday, with the House meeting in the morning and the Senate meeting in the afternoon.

The reckoning will slip into Wednesday and perhaps Thursday.

During this reckoning, we may discover where Democrats stand with President Biden and whether he is staying in the race or stepping down.

Mr. Biden and congressional Democrats faced poor timing over the past week-plus.

Since 2021 or 2022, President Biden and fellow Democrats had to determine whether the president was a "transitional figure" or if it was time for someone else to lead. However, the party burned through the primaries before they could come to a conclusion. The earliest presidential debate in American history should have been a debate of another sort, even though the president's team pushed for the date and format of the recent forum on CNN.

That turned out to be poor timing.

But the timing issues only grew.

The worst thing for Democrats is that the House convened on Friday, only hours after the political brownfields site in Atlanta served as the debate stage. This meant that the Capitol Hill press corps spent all Friday morning pursuing every House Democrat through the halls of Congress, asking them about Biden's performance.

Last week, the Senate didn't meet at all, and Democratic senators were particularly relieved that they didn't have to be there.

The best thing politically for Biden was that the House and Senate were both out over the past week. Congressional Democrats were relieved after the president's performance at the debate. But the fact that Democrats only had to endure tough questions from reporters at the Capitol for one day gave Biden time he didn't have. Congress doesn't return until Monday, and while apprehension about the president intensified, the recess muted those reservations and paused demands for Biden to possibly bow out.

According to a senior House Democratic leadership source, those close to the president have not served him well, and this cannot continue.

The possibility of Biden's election affecting the Democrats' chances of maintaining control of the Senate and flipping the House caused them to panic.

After Biden bombed, Democrats evaded reporters last week.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., made a direct path for his car after leaving the Capitol steps without any comment.

"You have no comment after the worst presidential debate performance?" I countered.

Espaillat stated, "I'm staying with Biden," in response.

Rep. Bill Keating, D-Mass., evaded inquiries, stating that he had a "noon flight."

Yours truly pressed Keating about whether Biden should remain on the ballot.

Biden did not seek Keating's counsel on the decision, as Keating stated that it would be decided by the president.

Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pa., stated that Democrats should not "overreact" to the president's performance. Additionally, he pointed out that it is a significant step for Democrats to remove Biden from the ticket.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., firmly stated "no" when questioned about the president's decision to withdraw. However, it is evident that Jeffries and other prominent Democratic leaders are closely monitoring their caucus and assessing the stance of their members with the president.

Jeffries later stated that he would not comment on anything related to the current situation, except to say he supports the ticket.

The minority leader and others may soon provide a lot more commentary on where congressional Democrats stand with Biden, as Jeffries might say that everything in politics is relative.

The Democratic Party is currently bound to Biden by its delegates, but they will officially bind themselves to him in a virtual roll call vote on Aug. 7. After this date, the party can only replace the nominee if there is a death, resignation, or disability.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., played a crucial role in reviving Biden's 2020 presidential campaign by securing a win in South Carolina. Clyburn characterized the debate as a setback for Biden.

Clyburn remarked, "If this were a ballgame, he has two more chances."

But this isn’t a ballgame. This is the presidency.

Clyburn stated, "I am unaware of your actions within the game."

Even House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., considered the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment, which allows the vice president and Cabinet, along with a two-thirds vote in both houses, to remove an incapacitated president who is deemed unfit to serve.

Johnson stated, "The Cabinet is responsible for making that decision. I urge the Cabinet members to carefully consider their options."

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, proposed a resolution regarding the 25th Amendment before the recess. There may be votes related to the 25th Amendment or the president's competence when lawmakers return to Washington in the near future.

The coming days on Capitol Hill will be an utter doozy.

Nearly 19% of the 213-member House Democratic Caucus are California Democrats, which is 40 out of the total 432 members of the House, including three vacancies. Additionally, Vice President Harris, who served as California's senator, hails from the state.

If California Democrats shift their stance against Biden, it's likely they will align with Harris.

According to Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., if the White House, administration, or president does not have a conversation with members of Congress and the Senate about Biden's viability, it is likely that many individuals will start to publicly express their opinions.

"Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., stated that Biden should continue campaigning as he has demonstrated his capability since the debate."

When lawmakers return to Washington, there will likely be a reckoning on the Democratic side of the aisle.