Civil rights icon preaches to his cats

Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) can captivate an audience with his oratory — and he keeps his skills sharp by talking to his cats.

Lewis caught up with former Republican Sen. Bob Dole outside the Cannon Caucus Room, where the ASPCA and Congressional Animal Protection held the fourth annual Paws for Celebration event to end animal cruelty and find forever homes for pets.

{mosads}In a moment The Hill captured on camera, Lewis told Dole he “talks” to his cats back home in Atlanta.

“I talk to them, and every now and then I try to preach to them,” Lewis said.

“Do they talk back?” Dole replied.

“Oh yeah, they talk to me,” Lewis said.

To hear the exchange and more on Dole’s involvement in the ASPCA, please watch the video above.