Source: Politics<\/p>\n
Call them the Paw-cus.<\/p>\n
A bipartisan group of lawmakers launched the Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus on Thursday \u2014 less than a week after South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem\u2019s killing of her dog disgusted Democrats and Republicans alike<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cDogs are the only thing on earth that loves you more than they love themselves. Their joy to live brings together Americans from all walks of life and can help nourish bipartisanship in Congress,\u201d Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said in a statement. <\/p>\n \u201cGiven recent dog-related news, it\u2019s evident that both sides of the aisle reject animal cruelty and support protecting man\u2019s best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n Moskowitz, alongside 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. <\/p>\n \u201cWe started this caucus to champion legislation that protects the rights and well-being of dogs, ensuring they receive the care, respect, and recognition they deserve,\u201d Mace said in a statement.<\/p>\n Noem, the Republican governor \u2014 and former member of Congress \u2014 was bashed over the past week for an excerpt in her upcoming memoir in which she describes shooting her 14-month-old puppy Cricket due to misbehavior<\/a>. <\/p>\n Noem claimed the puppy was \u201cuntrainable\u201d after attacking livestock, and so she shot Cricket in a gravel pit.<\/p>\n Noem\u2019s rising popularity in the GOP has appeared to put her on the shortlist of vice presidential candidates for former President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n But the recent puppy killing scandal could now put her chances in jeopardy, especially as fellow Republicans express their distaste for Noem\u2019s decision. She responded to the backlash. saying, \u201cTough decisions like this happen all the time on a farm.\u201d<\/p>\n Moskowitz was one of several lawmakers who weighed in instantly. <\/p>\n Five days before the caucus launched, Moskowitz \u2014 a freshman Democrat notorious for his online trolling \u2014 posted an infomercial-style video<\/a> mocking Noem with the caption: \u201cFor just $.10 a day you can help us save a puppy from Kristi Noem.\u201d<\/p>\n