WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden paid a visit to patients and families at Children’s National Hospital in Washington on Friday ahead of the Christmas holiday, carrying on an annual tradition that this year came just hours before a potential government shutdown. 

What You Need To Know

  • President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden paid a visit to patients and families at Children’s National Hospital in Washington on Friday ahead of the Christmas holiday, carrying on an annual tradition
  • This year, the stop came as the U.S. government is on the brink of a shutdown as lawmakers scramble to work out a deal on a short-term funding bill
  • First ladies have been participating in the tradition for more than 75 years but Biden is the first president to join his wife for the event for four straight years, Children’s National Hospital CEO Michelle Riley-Brown noted
  • Biden threw a red ball around with a small toddler who wandered up to the president as the first lady read “The Night Before Christmas” to those those gathered

“Hi, everybody,” the president said as he entered holding a child's hand.

The hospital’s Costco Wholesale Atrium was adorned with red poinsettias and Christmas trees bearing ornaments and ribbons that read “Children’s National.” 

Biden threw a red ball around with a small toddler who wandered up to the president as the first lady – a long-time teacher who often incorporates education into her themes for children’s events at the White House – read “The Night Before Christmas” to those gathered. 

“This is a classic,” the first lady said before diving into the Christmas tale. 

Friday marked the Bidens’ last fourth and last year making the stop at Children’s National ahead of the holidays as the pair will leave the White House next month. 

First ladies have been participating in the tradition for more than 75 years dating back to Harry Truman’s presidency, when his wife, Bess Truman, stopped by to visit with families who had to spend the holidays in the hospital, according to Children's National.

But Biden, Children’s National Hospital CEO Michelle Riley-Brown noted, is the first president to join his wife for the event for four straight years. 

“You have set a high bar,” Riley-Brown told the president at Friday’s event before thanking the first couple for their service to the country. 

The president then asked if he could deliver a message. 

“Folks, you know, this is a tough time to be here but it’s gonna get better,” Biden said. “Keep the hope.” 

The stop came as the U.S. government is on the brink of a shutdown as lawmakers scramble to work out a deal on a short-term funding bill after President-elect Donald Trump, who will take over the White House from Biden in just a few weeks, ripped apart a bipartisan proposal unveiled by Congressional leaders on Tuesday evening. 

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Friday faced a slew of questions from reporters about Biden’s involvement in the funding talks as has been out of the spotlight. Jean-Pierre said Biden spoke with both Democratic Congressional leaders earlier in the day on Friday but insisted that the onus for avoiding a shutdown falls squarely on the GOP.