One would hope that we can all set our differences aside for a shared human affection of our canine friends, even on Capitol Hill. Lucky for humanity, this is exactly what occurred on October 27th, 2021 at Senator Thom Tillis’ third-annual “bipawtisan” Halloween bash.
While neither Mitch McConnel nor Nancy Pelosi attended, reports Roll Call, they had adequate canine representation.
Tillis’ own Cocker Spaniel-Poodle mix came dressed in a suit jacket, with a small white wig, dressed as Mitch McConnel. Apparently, Tillis even named the dog after him.
“If we can find Nancy, we ought to get them to meet,” joked Tillis.
Who Knew Capitol Hill Was So Dog Friendly?
Halloween dog parade underway on Capitol Hill @Newsy pic.twitter.com/yQnNRReC4A
— Nathaniel Reed (@ReedReports) October 27, 2021
All of the costumed Senate pups gathered together in the Hart Senate Office Building’s atrium for the party, and Roll Call says that Capitol Hill is typically a very dog-friendly place.
“I seriously wish everybody had a dog; I think the place would work better,” said Democratic Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota. “It’s one of the few unifying opportunities in this institution that needs more of it.”
Apparently, Phillips often leaves his Norwich Terrier at the House chamber door while he goes to vote in addition to many other lawmakers who always have their dogs hanging about the place.
No doubt, they’re making it entirely more bearable.
An Event That Has Quadrupled In Pup-ularity
Dog day in Washington.
US Congress members and staff bring their dogs to work dressed in Halloween costumes for the annual Congressional Dog Costume Parade on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC
Jim Watson pic.twitter.com/b8nfDfgv1g
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 28, 2021
Originally, when the event started a few years back, it was just supposed to be a fun, small gathering between a handful of dogs and senators.
In its second year, however, word had spread.
“All of a sudden I go out and it’s like 50 dogs and 100 people,” recalled Tillis, who had to make an on-the-fly venue change to accommodate.
“Well, the Capitol Police came around, and they thought it was like some sort of spontaneous, unauthorized protest — oopsie.”
Pets and their owners get into the Halloween spirit for the “Bipawtisan Dog Costume Parade” on Capitol Hill. https://t.co/JsAo4rBy2e pic.twitter.com/NLPKV0okQj
— ABC News (@ABC) October 31, 2019
This year, Tillis had a better idea of how many to expect and planned accordingly.
Last week, the event was proposed in a consent request on the Senate floor, and Role Call reports that there were zero objections. “Thank God we got this one through,” joked Charles E. Schumer on the Senate floor last week.
“I thank Ted Cruz for not even objecting to it,” Tillis similarly joked.
But maybe it shouldn’t surprise us that dogs find friends in Washington. After all, many Presidents brought pooches into the White House, and you can read a full list of them here. You can also read some of our favorite stories about Presidential dogs misbehaving here!
How do you feel about senators on Capitol Hill coming together with their pups? Do you think dogs help bring people with different views together? Let us know in the comments below.
