Senate redheads celebrate ‘I’m Not Irish Day’

On St. Patrick’s Day, red-haired Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) celebrated a different sort of holiday. 

For the only two redheads in the Senate, St. Patricks Day has become known as “Explaining to Everyone that I’m Not Irish Day,” Lankford joked Friday.

#HappyStPatricksDay.. or for red heads, “Happy Explaining-to-Everyone-That-I’m-Not-Irish Day” #GingerLife @SenatorHeitkamp #StPatricksDay pic.twitter.com/q1EQX4iEZ2

— Sen. James Lankford (@SenatorLankford) March 17, 2017

“The tough life of a redhead!” Heitkamp responded on Twitter.

The tough life of a redhead! #redhairdontcare @SenatorLankford https://t.co/1Xf9s9edxS

— Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (@SenatorHeitkamp) March 17, 2017

Lankford, who was born in Texas, claims a mixed heritage with German, Dutch, and Native American roots, occasionally referring to himself as a “mutt.” Minnesota-born Heitkamp comes from a long line of German and Norwegian ancestors.

By coincidence, the two redheads were paired up to lead what’s since become known as the Senate’s “Ginger Committee,” or more officially, the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management.