President Biden (center) sits with members of the Democrats' baseball team during the Congressional Baseball Game for charity at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
President Biden on Wednesday made an appearance at the annual Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park.
Why it matters: Biden's appearance comes amid tense political negotiations on Capitol Hill as lawmakers seek to negotiate the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package as the threat of a government shutdown looms.
The big picture: The Congressional Baseball Game is a yearly tradition — started in 1909 — in which lawmakers from both major parties compete on the field and "solidify friendships off the floor and on the field," per the game's website.
- The game also raises money for charity. This year about $1.2 million will go to local causes, including the Washington Literacy Center and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, CQ Roll Call notes.
- This year's game, which is usually played in the summer, was delayed until the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2020 game was canceled due to the pandemic.
Driving the news: White House press secretary Jen Psaki opened the door for a potential Biden appearance at the game during a press briefing on Wednesday, saying: "We've ruled nothing out."