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Senate Mardi Gras Dog Parade Draws Backlash

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and an English bulldog owned by Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

George Caldwell / @GCaldwell_news

George Caldwell is a correspondent for The Daily Signal. Send an email to George.

A parade for dogs in the United States Capitol Complex has drawn backlash from House Republicans and conservative commentators demanding Senate action on a voter ID bill.

On Wednesday afternoon, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., held a Mardi Gras-themed “Bipawtisan Doggi Gras Pawrade” in the Hart Senate office building. 

Tillis, who is not seeking reelection in 2026, has held an annual dog parade for years, usually near Halloween. In 2025, however, Tillis cancelled the October “Howl-o-ween” parade due to an ongoing federal government shutdown.

The reaction to Tillis’ 2026 parade from some circles was harsh.

“This is why the US Senate doesn’t have time to focus on the SAVE Act to secure elections for US Citizens and Voter ID,” wrote “Based Jessica” in an X post that has received over a half million views. “They had a Dog Parade today… They are useless.”

This is why the US Senate doesn't have time to focus on the SAVE Act to secure elections for US Citizens and Voter ID.They had a Dog Parade today. Sen. Thom Tillis’ final dog parade featuring the dogs of Congress plus @BabydogJustice and owner @JimJustice_WVThey are useless. pic.twitter.com/IdS0tXK7nT— Based Jessica (@RealJessica) February 26, 2026

This is why the US Senate doesn't have time to focus on the SAVE Act to secure elections for US Citizens and Voter ID.They had a Dog Parade today. Sen. Thom Tillis’ final dog parade featuring the dogs of Congress plus @BabydogJustice and owner @JimJustice_WVThey are useless. pic.twitter.com/IdS0tXK7nT

Several House Republicans, having advocated for aggressive Senate action on voter ID legislation, also criticized the parade held in the Hart office building, which the Senate authorized with a resolution penned by Tillis.

“UNBELIEVABLE: @SenateGOP had time to pass a resolution for their dog parade this month,” wrote Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., Thursday on X. “But REFUSE to bring the SAVE America Act to the floor for debate. And they say they ‘don’t have time’ to save America.”

Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, wrote, “@SenateGOP has time to pass resolutions to throw parades but not to secure our elections? Pathetic. DO BETTER. PASS THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.”

“Did they listen to Trump on Tuesday? There is work to do,” wrote Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., on X.

?UNBELIEVABLE: @SenateGOP had time to pass a resolution for their dog parade this month…But REFUSE to bring the SAVE America Act to the floor for debate.And they say they "don't have time" to save America. pic.twitter.com/ILPgKnccGy— Rep. Mark Harris (@RepMarkHarrisNC) February 26, 2026

?UNBELIEVABLE: @SenateGOP had time to pass a resolution for their dog parade this month…But REFUSE to bring the SAVE America Act to the floor for debate.And they say they "don't have time" to save America. pic.twitter.com/ILPgKnccGy

On Thursday, Tillis responded to the critics of the parade.

“They’re either sad cases or cat owners,” Tillis said of naysayers. “With all due respect, I like cats, but… come on guys. My God. It was a 45-minute session. I can walk and chew gum at the same time. They should try it.”

The public scolding by some House Republicans is part of a larger pressure campaign on Senate Republicans to force a “talking filibuster” to pass the SAVE America Act.

In theory, this approach involves enforcing Senate rules so that Democrats would have to speak continuously if they wish to block the legislation that requires voter identification and proof of citizenship for participation in federal elections.

Proponents argue this approach is consistent with the Senate’s rules and could allow Republicans to overcome the typical 60-vote threshold required to end debate on bills.

Join us for the Doggi Gras Pawrade this Wednesday in the Hart Atrium. Lineup for the pawrade will begin at 3:50 PM. We look forward to seeing you and your pups as we celebrate Mardi Gras in true bipawtisan style. ??? pic.twitter.com/oqx6z7YUBs— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) February 23, 2026

Join us for the Doggi Gras Pawrade this Wednesday in the Hart Atrium. Lineup for the pawrade will begin at 3:50 PM. We look forward to seeing you and your pups as we celebrate Mardi Gras in true bipawtisan style. ??? pic.twitter.com/oqx6z7YUBs

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has said this strategy could eat up time for other priorities, and has argued the protracted process of tabling Democrat amendments to the bill could stall efforts to reopen the Department of Homeland Security.

The agency is currently shut down due to Senate Democrats denying the votes necessary to bring a funding bill to a final vote.

“The coin [of] the realm in the Senate is floor time,” Thune said in early February. “There’s a finite amount of it and we have a lot of things we have to do… We will vote on the SAVE Act, but … triggering a talking filibuster has ramifications, implications that I think everybody needs to be aware of.”

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