Biden cancels trip to Dem retreat

Vice President Biden canceled his trip Thursday to visit the House Democrats’ retreat on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, citing the large snowstorm pummeling the Eastern Seaboard.

Federal offices across the nation’s capital were also closed, and the White House pre-emptively scrapped the planned rollout of a program to aid young minority men that had been slated for Thursday. 

{mosads}The winter storm also appears to be hampering Democrats from attending their retreat.

The office of Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (Calif.) said there are 125 Democrats registered for the retreat, and attendance “is close to that.”

President Obama is still scheduled to meet with the House Democrats on Friday morning before departing to California for a meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan and a vacation weekend.

Democratic leaders say they will use the conference to hone in on economic policy messaging they hope can boost their prospects ahead of the 2014 midterms.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Democrats would present a platform to address the growing “opportunity gap.”

The difference … in our approach is that we understand that the American people are not fully participating in the prosperity that some are enjoying in our country — not any part of it,” she said. “We understand; the Republicans are indifferent.”

Democrats would need to net 17 seats in November to retake the House.

— Mike Lillis contributed.

— This story was updated at 9:28 a.m.