The president received a mixed reception from fans when he arrived at Nationals Park on Wednesday night as the Democrats trailed behind their rivals.
Democrats in the stands cheered on the president, while a chorus of boos rang out from the Republicans’ side of the ballpark.
“Both cheers (from Dem side) and boos (from GOP side) as [Joe Biden] introduced at Nationals ballpark at Congressional ballgame,” wrote White House reporter for Bloomberg News Jennifer Jacobs on Twitter.
Others unfurled banners that called for Democrats and Republicans to pass the large spending bill that has divided opinion on Capitol Hill.
One banner read: “Our lives are not a game. Pass 3.5T”
Another read: “Trump 2024…Take America Back.”
The banners and the divisive reaction Biden received reflected the highly charged atmosphere in Congress as lawmakers battle over the future of the infrastructure bill and the $3.5 trillion social and climate spending package.
Both the sweeping package and bill will meet their fate in a crucial vote later on Thursday and Democrats have worked around the clock in order to secure support.
Democratic leaders have appeared confident they will secure the required votes with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi telling reporters on Tuesday: “In the next day or so we hope to come to a place where we can all move forward on that. We will pass both bills.”
Should Democrats fail to pass the bill and package it could spell disaster for the party in the 2022 midterm elections.
Biden had previously postponed a scheduled trip to Chicago as negotiations on the key legislation continue.
It also offered a chance for Biden to forge bipartisan ties with the president being seen walking over to the Republican dugout to greet the players.
Republican Representative from Texas Kevin Brady spoke of the importance of the game, telling Reuters: “This builds relationships and creates a timeout from some of the harshest, I think, partisanship atmospheres I’ve seen in Congress.”
The tradition started in 1909 and had been played annually, although 2020’s game was canceled due to the COVID pandemic.
According to Reuters, the event typically raises more than $1 million for charity and has seen a tightly fought contest between Republicans and Democrats.
The Republicans ended a strong record of Democratic dominance, winning the game 13-12.
Wednesday’s reception at the Nationals Stadium was the latest occasion Biden has faced a hostile crowd.
Earlier this September, Biden’s motorcade was booed as he campaigned for Governor Gavin Newsom in California.
Videos of some protesters booing the president as he passed by were shared on Twitter, with local media reporting that there were hundreds of people there who opposed both Biden and Newsom.
