Senator Thom Tillis drew criticism for hosting a Mardi Gras–themed dog parade in the Hart Senate Office Building atrium as the SAVE Act debate continued in the Senate.
The event, billed as the “Doggi Gras Pawrade,” featured dogs dressed in purple and green tutus, boas, sparkles, beads, and streamers.
Members of Congress, congressional staff, reporters, and numerous canines paraded through the atrium during the gathering.
Senator Jim Justice attended with his English bulldog, Babydog, who was carried in a decorated wagon and designated as the parade’s grandmaster.
Tillis emceed parts of the event with a megaphone and posed for photographs with attendees and pets, including his own dogs.
He has organized similar events since 2017 under names like the “Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween” to encourage bipartisan interaction through a shared interest in dogs.
The 2026 edition adopted a Mardi Gras theme after the planned October 2025 Halloween parade was canceled amid a partial government shutdown.
North Carolina-based activist Matt Van Swol posted on X that “Thom Tillis refusing to vote on the SAVE Act while literally hosting a parade for dogs is everything everyone hates about the GOP in one video.”
The Federalist co-founder Sean Davis added, “This is what Thom Tillis does instead of passing the Save America Act. He’s super busy and stuff.”
This is what Thom Tillis does instead of passing the Save America Act. He’s super busy and stuff. https://t.co/KgXTDxRu2k
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) February 26, 2026
Tillis brushed off the criticism when asked for comment by the Washington Post.
He said, “I don’t find their comments particularly well-informed.”
He added, “Grow up.”
He also said, “I mean, my god, you can walk and chew gum here.”
Political Fallout
Tillis, who announced last year he will retire at the end of his current term, has increasingly clashed with the Trump base in recent months.
He criticized President Trump’s pardons for some January 6 defendants accused of violent crimes and voted against the Big Beautiful Bill spending package.
President Trump publicly criticized that vote and suggested potential support for a primary challenger, after which Tillis announced he would not seek reelection in 2026.
Tillis has also called for the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and has strongly criticized Stephen Miller.
SAVE Act Standoff
On the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration, Tillis co-sponsored the Senate version last year but has not signed on to a plan to advance the bill through a “talking” filibuster.
That plan would allow Republicans to pass the measure with a simple majority instead of needing 60 votes for cloture.
Tillis has previously said he would not support a talking filibuster under any circumstances, calling it effectively the elimination of the filibuster and contrary to institutional norms.
He also previously indicated he would resign immediately if the filibuster were removed.
Critics say the parade underscores a senator out of step with the Trump base and with urgent efforts to secure election integrity.
