One visitor transformed the session into a tail-wagging contest, even though it was intended to be a standard Senate Agriculture Committee hearing to review applicants for key USDA positions.
Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., and his cherished English bulldog, Babydog Justice, made an unexpected and extremely photogenic visit Tuesday during the committee’s examination of the nominations of Tyler Clarkson for USDA General Counsel and Judge Stephen Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Babydog’s appearance brought laughter, smiles, and even a little bipartisan levity to the otherwise somber hearing.
“Babydog is the key to the West Virginia Senator’s success,” joked Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., as Justice and his puppy became comfortable.
Justice, who was the governor of West Virginia before entering the Senate, made a unique remark regarding his dog’s appearance on Capitol Hill.
“I am so pleased to see the warm reception of Babydog from folks in Congress. Today she came along with me to the Agriculture Committee hearing and knew if she participated, there would be a treat as a reward. Senator Boozman took the time to introduce her to the committee, and contrary to what Senator Hoeven said in the hearing, she is not livestock or up for auction — even though she may resemble a little brown cow!” Justice stated.
During the hearing, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., made a joke about Babydog perhaps being livestock, which caused several people to laugh. Justice playfully denied the idea.
As he held the puppy up to the microphone and explained how Babydog “humanizes all of us,” Justice said, “She’s heavy!” and asked a staff member to take the dog off his lap.
The reaction on social media was quick. Reposting video of Babydog in action, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who was confirmed earlier this year, wrote: “We love you Babydog! Senate Ag is never the same when you’re around.”
The Senate Agriculture Committee even joined in the fun on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes photos of the dog’s visit along with the statement that she was “making new friends and monitoring policy.”
Babydog Justice took to her own social media account after her exciting day on Capitol Hill. She humorously captioned a picture she posted from the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, asking, “Is this thing on?” in reference to the microphone.
All in favor of making @babydogjustice our 101st senator, say AYE! pic.twitter.com/2HzTnnxviq
— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) April 8, 2025
Senators were drawn to Babydog’s appeal in the corridors of Congress, not only in the committee chamber. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., tweeted, “All in favor of making @babydogjustice our 101st senator, say AYE!” after posting a picture of Babydog.
To join in, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., sent a photo of himself stroking Babydog along with the statement, “@BabydogJustice is America’s favorite dog.”
Babydog is accustomed to being in the spotlight.
The 60-pound English bulldog, who was born in 2019, has been a mainstay in Justice’s political life ever since his kids gave her to him.
When Justice started the “Do It for Babydog” vaccine lottery to encourage West Virginians to be vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic, she became well-known nationwide.
At the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Babydog had her most well-known public appearance. From a bulldog-sized chair on the main stage, she enchanted both the media and attendees.
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As a recently appointed member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Justice is focused on the work that lies ahead, even though Babydog may have garnered the most attention.
The Republican from West Virginia has long stressed the value of bolstering the agricultural sector and helping rural towns, two issues that are important in his home state.
Justice, a longtime farmer and businessman and a former two-term governor, has often discussed the need for realistic, common-sense answers to problems like infrastructure investment, rural development, and food security.
He is in a position to promote laws that support West Virginia’s economic and agricultural interests because of his membership on the Agriculture Committee.
With his four-legged sidekick never far behind, Justice is anticipated to use his position to further those goals as Babydog continues to draw attention on Capitol Hill.
Source: Fox News
