Call them Paw-cus.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers launched the Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus on Thursday, less than a week after South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s killing of her dog upset both Democrats and Republicans.
“Dogs are the only thing on earth that loves you more than they love themselves. Their joie de vivre unites Americans from all walks of life and can help fuel bipartisanship in Congress,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said in a statement.
“Given recent dog-related news, it’s clear that both sides of the aisle reject animal cruelty and support protecting man’s best friend.”
Moskowitz, along with Reps. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) and Nancy Mace (R.S.C.), said they launched the Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus to share their love of dogs and their companionship and find bipartisan common ground in Congress .
“We started this group to advocate for legislation that protects the rights and well-being of dogs, ensuring they receive the care, respect and recognition they deserve,” Mace said in a statement.
Noem, the Republican governor and former member of Congress, came under fire last week for an excerpt from her upcoming memoir in which she described shooting Cricket, her 14-month-old puppy, because of his misbehavior.
Noem claimed the puppy was “untrainable” after attacking livestock, so she shot Cricket in a gravel pit.
Noem’s growing popularity in the Republican Party appears to put her on former President Donald Trump’s short list of vice presidential candidates.
But the recent puppy killing scandal could now jeopardize her chances, especially as her fellow Republicans express their displeasure with Noem’s decision. She responded to the reaction. saying, “Difficult decisions like this happen all the time on a farm.”
Moskowitz was one of several lawmakers who intervened instantly.
Five days before the start of the caucus, Moskowitz, a freshman Democrat known for his online trolling, posted an infomercial-style video mocking Noem with the caption: “For just $0.10 a day you can help us save a Kristi Noem puppy.”
