US President Joe Biden was booed at the Congressional Baseball Game on Wednesday night. He made an appearance at the Nationals Park in an attempt to shore support from both sides of the stadium for his multitrillion-dollar infrastructure bills. 

As Biden arrived at the Park, the Democratic side of the stadium cheered ‘Build Back Better’. However, the Republicans, going even louder, started shouting ‘Joe sucks!’ The game was briefly delayed as he acknowledged the crowd and greeted the players.

“Let’s play ball!” chanted some GOP fans. 

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The boos were not all. Some activists displayed banners suggesting their lives ‘are not a game’.

The president left before the end of the game. Republicans won 13-12, while House Speaker Pelosi was seen furiously speaking on the phone throughout. 

The Congressional Baseball Game is a yearly tradition — started in 1909 — involving lawmakers from both major parties competing on the field and “solidify friendships off the floor and on the field,” per the game’s website. The game 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.

Democrats are trying to pass more than $4 trillion in infrastructure and social programs at the center of President Joe Biden’s agenda — and at the same time avert a government shutdown and prevent a federal default that could send financial markets crashing.

Also read: Can the US government avoid the shutdown on October 1?

On Thursday, with  Biden’s government overhaul at stake, Democrats charged into trouble as a promised vote on the first piece, a slimmer $1 trillion public works bill, faltered amid stalled talks on his more ambitious package.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi assembled her leadership team for an early morning meeting and emerged determined to push ahead, strike a deal with Biden and avoid what would be a high-profile setback if voting on the public works bill fails or has to be scrapped.

“Step by step,” Pelosi said at the Capitol, suggesting a deal with Biden was within reach.

With inputs from the Associated Press