#Joe Biden asks Rep. Karen Bass to undergo VP vetting process

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) speaks at a House Judiciary Committee markup on June 17.
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Joe Biden’s campaign is vetting congresswoman Karen Bass, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, as a candidate to be his running mate, according to a new report from CBS.

Bass, a five-term congresswoman who represents Los Angeles, endorsed Biden back in March.

“Karen Bass would be a big plus…she is a great person in my mind, I work with her every day,” House Majority Whip James Clyburn told CNN in June when asked about Biden’s vetting process.

Recently, Bass described the calls to “defund the police” as a terrible rallying cry but said law enforcement officers shouldn’t have to become involved in situations that could be better handled by social workers.

“I told some friends that’s probably one of the worst slogans ever,” Bass said during a Washington Post live broadcast referring to the slogan. She also said police department budgets could be reduced if communities shift some of the burdens to other agencies.

Bass’ vetting comes as pressure builds on Biden to pick a woman of color to join him on the ticket.

Last week, Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar withdrew her name from the list of possible running mates, citing that Democratic nominee Joe Biden should use the “moment to put a woman of color” on his ticket.

Biden has vowed to select a woman as his running mate and his campaign has pledged to make a decision by Aug. 1.