WASHINGTON — Seven “Real Housewives” took on Washington on Wednesday — and somehow managed to bring the least amount of drama to Capitol Hill.
While Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Homeland Security Secretary-designate Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) dueled in a hearing room and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard defended her tenure, the Bravo stalwarts were promoting a common cause — expanding funding for HIV research and treatment.
“Everybody’s been very kind. Honestly, we’ve had a great experience, because that was a big worry coming,” Nene Leakes of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” told The Post.
The “Housewives on The Hill,” as they dubbed themselves, had a packed day of events Wednesday, speaking at a panel discussion, meetings with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, and then speaking to the media.
“We feel like very important people today,” said Melissa Gorga of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”
“This is definitely not a typical day. So thank you for letting our voices be heard in such an important subject.”
Gorga and Leakes were joined by several well-known members of the franchise: Phaedra Parks (“Real Housewives of Atlanta”), Candiace Dillard Bassett (“Real Housewives of Potomac”), Erika Jayne (“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”), Luann de Lesseps (“Real Housewives of New York”), and Marysol Patton (“Real Housewives of Miami”).
“Housewives and politics don’t go hand in hand,” de Lesseps conceded. “And that’s what I love about it.”
She said the power of the seven ladies from different franchises raises awareness of HIV issues “on a different level. It’s all about working together in order to save people’s lives. So that’s where we have to come together, no matter what your political orientation may be.”
The event was hosted by telehealth platform MISTR and was aimed at increasing awareness and coverage for pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP.
PrEP is a medication regimen that can, if taken properly, reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sex by up to 99%, according to public health officials.
Swarmed by Hill aides for selfies — and it was equally male and female staffers — Housewives posed gamely and accepted accolades for being a fan favorite. A few husbands joined them. And many a male staffer told Joe Gorga that he was their favorite husband.
Tristan Schukraft, Founder and CEO of MISTR, brought the ladies of Bravo to the halls of Washington DC.
“Everybody was demanding selfies,” he told The Post of the reaction, noting the housewives “added their own spice” to the day of advocacy.
The final federal budget for the Department of Health and Human Services maintains federal funding for HIV prevention, care, and research at 2025 levels, rejecting nearly $2 billion in proposed cuts from the House of Representatives.
But several states have rolled back their HIV and AIDS services due to budget constraints. Still the housewives preserved.
Parks said that despite their reputation for fights and drama, the Housewives can be a force to reckon with.
“While we might fight on television, outside of the cameras we are moms. .. Some of us crazy. But at the end of the day, when we are passionate about anything, we go full force,” she said.
And they had their favorite lawmaker.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) got a warm welcome from the Housewives when he stopped by to thank them for coming to the Capitol, getting swarmed by the ladies for some gushy greetings.
He praised them for shining a light on the issue.
“We are in a very dark time,” he said. “And here we have people standing up and saying, in a dark time, I’m going to shine my light brighter.”
He also noted the calm, collective atmosphere among the group and joked: “I wish there was a table here I could turn over.”
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