Like many Members of Congress, House Majority Whip James Clyburn maintains a packed schedule. Sometimes that means he needs to be in two places at once.

The South Carolina Democrat spoke Tuesday night at the D.C. premiere of “When I Rise,” a documentary about Barbara Smith Conrad, who was the target of racial discrimination while a student at the University of Texas but went on to become of one of the biggest opera stars of her day. Clyburn told a crowd gathered at the National Archives that he was excited to watch the film.

He just couldn’t watch it on Tuesday night.

Turns out, Clyburn was also booked to speak at an event for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. “They told me that if I’m not there to keynote by 8:15, they’re going to take back my diploma,” Clyburn joked.

Although Clyburn left just as the curtain rose, other VIPs such as Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) stayed to watch the film.

Gone to the Dogs

Dozens of Members keep pets in their Congressional offices, but only a select few can claim their animal companions are the cutest on Capitol Hill.

During the annual Celebrity Pet Night on Tuesday, a contest crowned the cutest pets on Capitol hIll: Cali, the miniature dachshund who hangs out in the office of Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.); Bryce, the cat who spends her days with staffer Elizabeth Nevitt in the Congressional digs of Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.); and Purpellow, the fish who lives alongside Michael Chahinian in the office of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.).

“We’re very proud of Cali,” Calvert said of the pup, who is looked after by one of his staffers, Rebecca Rudman.

Two famous pet actors — the dog who played Marmaduke in the eponymous summer movie and the cat from the Robert DeNiro film “Little Fockers” — were on hand in the Cannon Caucus Room to pose for pictures.

The event was hosted by the Animal Health Institute, which represents companies that make medicine for pets and animals. Other Members spotted at the reception were Reps. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.).

In Case You Missed It

White House party crasher and “Real Housewives of D.C.” star Michaele Salahi reveals in a new book that she suffers from multiple sclerosis, People reports on its website.

Salahi has secretly suffered from the disease for 17 years, she tells the mag. “The only way I can deal with it is to smile and act like I can get through it,” she says.

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