After Covid-19 forced a one-year hiatus, the traditional Congressional Baseball Game returned on September 30 at Nationals Park.
The game, which began in 1909, is a bipartisan event, with lawmakers from either side of the political playing field meeting up on the actual playing field. Republicans wear custom red uniforms and the Democrats each wear jerseys representing baseball teams of their hometowns.
“[The game] builds relationships and creates a timeout from some of the harshest, I think, partisanship atmospheres I’ve seen in Congress. So I think in fact it’s probably needed now more than ever,” Republican Rep. Kevin Brady said.
This year, President Joe Biden arrived at the top of the second inning surprising both teams. He brought Dove Vanilla Ice Cream Bars, wrapped in customized packaging with the presidential seal.
Naomi, Biden’s granddaughter, joined him at the game. Interestingly, the game was not the Biden family’s first baseball event of the day. Earlier in the morning, President Biden was inducted into the Congressional Baseball Hall of Fame; Naomi accepted the honor on his behalf.