On Wednesday, over three-quarters of the Senate Republican Conference told Scripps News they would not attend this Saturday's military parade in Washington.
Scripps News reached out to all 53 Republican senators. 41 said they did not plan to be in town for the event. Nine others have declined to comment, while at least two more say they are still undecided.
So far only one Republican senator, Sen. Roger Marshall from Kansas, has confirmed that he will attend the parade.
As of Wednesday night, Scripps has reached out to all GOP Senators.
Other senators told Scripps News they planned to attend family or constituent events elsewhere or said they were traveling overseas.
To be clear, its fairly typical for Senators to leave town for the weekend and head home - but stood out to @slisker and I that many members are choosing not to stay in town, given the pomp & circumstance!
— Nathaniel Reed (@ReedReports) June 11, 2025
The parade marks the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. It also coincides with the Flag Day holiday and with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.
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Some senators have raised questions about whether the expense is necessary.
"The United States of America is the most powerful country in all of human history," Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy said on Tuesday. "We're a lion. And a lion doesn't have to tell you it's a lion. Everybody else in the jungle knows."
"I would save the money, but if the president wants to have a parade, he's the president and I'm not," Kennedy said.
As of Wednesday, Sen. Kennedy has declined to answer about whether he will attend the parade.
"I've never been a big fan of goose stepping soldiers and big tanks and missiles rolling down the street," Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul told reporters on Tuesday. "So if you ask me, I wouldn't have done it."
Sen. Paul has confirmed he will not attend the parade.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told Scripps News he is not aware of any Democratic senators who plan to attend the parade.
