Schumer and Jeffries endorse Kamala Harris to replace Biden

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Why it matters: The Democratic congressional leaders were among the last major Democratic Party figures who have held out on backing Harris to replace President Biden at the top of the ticket.

• Harris has been endorsed by Biden, the Clintons and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) — and has already clinched the delegates she needs to become the nominee.

What they're saying: "We are here today to throw our support behind Vice President Kamala Harris," Schumer told reporters at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's D.C. headquarters.

• "Kamala Harris and her candidacy has excite and energized the house Democratic caucus, the Democratic Party and the nation," Jeffries said.

Between the lines: Schumer and Jeffries held out on immediately endorsing Harris to give her space to win support from rank-and-file members, according to multiple senior Democratic lawmakers.

• Jeffries inched close to endorsing Harris during a closed-door Democratic caucus meeting on Tuesday, telling colleagues she will be the 47th president.