Dalrymple, Louis, 1866-1905, artist, Library of Congress
There is a long history of dogs in Congress on Capitol Hill.
Virginia Congressman John Randolph would bring an entire pack of hunting dogs with him on the floor of the House of Representatives in the early 19th century. Randolph was a big dog himself in Congress. As chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, he was the defacto floor leader for Thomas Jefferson’s administration. Randolph’s colleagues were not impressed. They wanted to get rid of the hounds. House Historian Matt Wasniewski says when one member complained, Randolph hit him in the head with a riding crop.
The Congressional dog policy changed in 1811, when Kentucky Congressman Henry Clay became Speaker. Wasniewski says one of Clay’s first actions was to turn to the doorkeeper, ordering him, “Remove the beasts from the floor!”
Randolph was furious. The dispute had political fallout: Clay and Randolph clashed over the War of 1812, the Missouri compromise, and finally, in 1826, fought a duel. Neither man was shot.
And while dogs have the run of most of Capitol Hill, to this day they are still not welcome on the floor of the House of Representatives.