Biden talks about passing torch in address

In his Oval Office address later this evening, Biden will discuss his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.

"I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation," he will say, according to excerpts of his speech released by the White House.

He will also reiterate his commitment to seeing out the remainder of his term.

"Over the next six months I will be focused on doing my job as president," he will say. "That means I will continue to lower costs for hard-working families and grow our economy. I will keep defending our personal freedoms and our civil rights - from the right to vote - to the right to choose."

Harris, addressing the historically Black Zeta Phi Beta Sorority's Grand Boulé in Indianapolis on Wednesday, said President Joe Biden will talk about his decision to abandon his reelection bid and his "extraordinary" accomplishments as president during his planned speech Wednesday night.

"Our president will address the nation about his decision to step down as a candidate, and he will talk about not only the work, the extraordinary work that he has accomplished, but about his work in the next six months," Harris said.

"Joe Biden is a leader with bold vision. He cares about the future. He thinks about the future. He has extraordinary determination and profound compassion for the people of our country. And I say that because I know that we are all deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation," she added.

Kamala Harris' virtual presidential nomination could start Aug. 1, but may be pushed back if other qualified candidates jump in the race

The Democratic National Convention's Rules Committee voted 157-3 on Wednesday to adopt a plan that allows the party to start its virtual presidential nomination process as soon as Aug. 1.

While Harris secured commitments from enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee if they all honor their commitment when voting, according to ABC News reporting, the plan approved on Wednesday allows for other candidates to jump in the race. They have from Thursday, July 25, until Saturday, July 27, at 6 p.m. ET to toss their names in the ring.

After filing a declaration of intent, all potential candidates will need to qualify to be considered for the nomination by filing a formal and notarized declaration of candidacy with the DNC, meeting party and legal qualifications to be president, and securing 300 delegate signatures electronically, not more than 50 of which may come from one delegation, according to the committee. The window to submit qualification materials ends on Tuesday, July 30, at 6 p.m. ET.

The rules adopted on Wednesday state that if only one candidate for nomination reaches the delegate support threshold to be considered by the convention, electronic voting by the delegates will begin on Aug. 1.

There is no set end date to virtual voting, but the rules committee said it should be completed "by early August."

House Republican leaders have privately told their conference to focus their attacks against Harris on her record, sources familiar with the conversation tell ABC News.

It comes after a number of House Republicans made references to Harris' race and gender when asked by reporters about her bid for the White House. Some like Reps. Tim Burchett of Tennessee and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia went as far as calling her a "DEI Vice President" or "DEI hire."

When House Republicans met behind closed doors on Tuesday, North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson, who is a member of House leadership, warned members against making comments about Harris' race including that she's a "DEI pick" and urged the party to focus on her record, per multiple sources in the room.

It's notable coming from Hudson, who is the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP's campaign arm.

Separately, sources also tell ABC News, Speaker Johnson has also privately told members to focus on drawing a contrast with Harris' record against the "strength" of Trump. Johnson has privately and publicly insisted this has nothing to do with race.

Some moderate Republicans have been frustrated by the comments from others in the party.

One member saying, "pointing out she's not a white man is not a winning campaign message."