Republican Sen. Jim Justice made use of his Congressional office in Washington, D.C. to throw his bulldog, Babydog, a birthday party during the ongoing government shutdown.
The soiree took place Wednesday afternoon in the Hart Senate Office Building, where several senators spent the 15th day of the work stoppage celebrating the 6th birthday of Babydog, whom Justice dubbed “America’s Chief Happiness Officer.”
Invites posted online advertised cake, “belly rub diplomacy” and dog biscuits for Democrats and Republicans alike.
“No matter what’s going on in Washington… there’s always room for cake, cuddles and good company,” the invite reads.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville from Alabama posed with the birthday girl and wished her a “happy birthday” on X.
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley suggested that Democrats and Republicans work together to end the shutdown as a birthday present to Babydog. The parties are at odds over a spending bill to fund government activity.
A social media account run for Babydog Justice included photos from the shindig and declared, “The paw-ty is officially approved!”
Justice’s website says Babydog was born on Oct. 27, 2019. The West Virginia senator decided on the dog’s name because his 2-year-old grandson couldn’t remember the word “puppy” and instead referred to her as “the baby dog.”
Frequently traveling with Senator Justice, she’s since gone on to make appearances at major events like the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and on shows like “Fox & Friends.”
In June 2021, Babydog became the official mascot of West Virginia’s COVID-19 “Do It for Babydog” vaccination sweepstakes.
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