RINO Senator Panned For Hosting Capitol Hill Dog Show As SAVE Act Debate Rages

Senator Thom Tills (R-NC) is facing intense criticism on social media for hosting a dog parade on Capitol Hill as President Donald Trump and the vast majority of his base are urging lawmakers to pass a key election integrity bill.

Tillis hosted a dog costume parade, known as the “Doggi Gras Pawrade,” on Wednesday in the atrium of the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. The event, themed around Mardi Gras, featured dogs in costumes adorned with purple and green tutus, boas, sparkles, beads, and streamers. Dogs and their owners paraded through the space, with participants including members of Congress, congressional staff, reporters, and numerous canines.

Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) attended with his English bulldog, Babydog, which was transported in a decorated wagon and designated as the grandmaster of the parade. Tillis emceed the gathering with a megaphone and posed for photographs with attendees and their pets, including his own dogs.

Tillis began organizing similar events in 2017 as the annual “Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween” dog costume parade to promote interactions across party lines through a shared interest in dogs. The 2026 edition shifted to a Mardi Gras theme after the planned October 2025 Halloween parade was canceled due to a partial government shutdown.

The senator — who announced last year that he will be retiring at the end of his current term — has framed the events as a way to promote bipartisanship and civility in Washington. This year’s event has led to significant criticism on social media, however, as it comes during a contentious time with important bills idling in the upper chamber.

“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,” North Carolina-based activist Matt Van Swol posted on X. “No time to SAVE AMERICA FROM VOTER FRAUD… but plenty of time to host parades for dogs. Insanity.”

“This is what Thom Tillis does instead of passing the Save America Act. He’s super busy and stuff,” said The Federalist co-founder Sean Davis.

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. “I don’t find their comments particularly well-informed. Grow up. I mean, my god, you can walk and chew gum here,” he said.

The retiring senator has increasingly found himself at odds with the Trump base in recent months. Among other things, he criticized the president’s decision to pardon January 6 protesters accused of violent crimes and notably voted against the Big Beautiful Bill spending package, which provided funding for a number of the president’s key campaign promises, including funding for mass deportations.

President Trump publicly criticized the vote and indicated potential support for a primary challenger, after which Tillis announced he would not seek reelection in 2026.

He has also called for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to be impeached and has fiercely criticized Stephen Miller, one of the president’s senior advisers.

On the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act — legislation requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration — Tillis co-sponsored the Senate version last year but has yet to sign off on a plan to advance the bill through a “talking” filibuster. This plan would allow Republicans to pass it with a simple majority rather than needing to obtain cloture with 60 votes in the upper chamber.

Tillis has previously said he would support a “talking filibuster” under no circumstances, describing such an approach as equivalent in effect to eliminating the filibuster and contrary to institutional norms. He previously indicated he would resign immediately if the filibuster were removed.

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