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Legislative Updates
Federal Animal Advocacy
111th Congress - Animal Welfare Bills
Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2009
Sponsor: U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka and Congressman Mike Doyle
Status: In Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and House Agriculture Committees
Summary: This bill would amend the Animal Welfare Act to ensure that all dogs and cats used in research facilities are obtained legally and not through random-source Class B dealers.
Read the bill and our support letter.
Congressional study shows B-Dealers not needed
Tax Relief for Pet Owners
Sponsor: Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI)
Status: In House Ways and Means Committee
Summary: This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a deduction of up to $3500 a year total for pet care expenses, such as veterinary care.
Read the bill and our support letter.
2009 House Resolution: National Link Awareness Month (H. Res. 191)
Sponsor: Rep. Susan Davis
Status: No vote
Summary: This simple, nonpartisan resolution would have helped spread throughout the nation critically needed awareness and understanding of The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals. The resolution was not scheduled for a House suspension vote.
Summary of Key Legislation Considered by the 110th Congress
With the adjournment of the 110th Congress, we celebrate the passage of critical dogfighting language in the federal Farm Bill, but we are disappointed that key bills to protect animals were not taken up for a vote.
Critical Dogfighting Language Included in Federal Farm Bill
Passed
President Bush signed the 2008 Federal Farm Bill into law on May 22, 2008 (PL/ 110-234) with most of the language from the Federal Dog Protection Act (HR 3327, sponsored by Rep. Elton Gallegly) and the Dog Fighting Prohibition Act (S 1800/HR 3219, sponsored by Sens. John Kerry and Barbara Boxer and Rep. Betty Sutton, respectively). The 2008 Farm Bill now makes it a federal offense subject to five years’ imprisonment to sponsor or train dogs for dogfighting, use the U.S. Postal Service to mail dogfighting paraphernalia, or otherwise promote dogfights. These provisions create an even stronger means of addressing our nation’s dogfighting crisis than 2007’s enactment of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act. It is our hope that the nation’s dogfighting laws will continue to be strengthened in the years to come.
Tracking Animal Cruelty Crimes Act of 2007 (S 2439)
No vote
Sponsored by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), this bill would have required the FBI to add animal cruelty as a separate category in its National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). Doing so would have helped law enforcement agencies track animal cruelty crimes, and would have allowed researchers to study animal cruelty’s connection to other forms of societal violence. Although the bill had 13 co-sponsors, it remained in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary without a vote. We are hopeful the senator will reintroduce the bill in 2009.
Human and Pet Food Safety Act of 2007 (HR 2108)
No vote
Sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), this bill would have directly responded to growing concerns about the safety of the nation’s food supply by establishing mandatory federal standards. The bill also would have allowed the Food and Drug Administration to fine companies that neglect to report possible contamination. Although the bill had 45 co-sponsors, it remained in the House Subcommittee on Health without a vote. We are hopeful Rep. DeLauro will reintroduce the bill in 2009. American Humane remains committed to working with Congress and with other organizations to continually urge the federal government to institute policies that protect animals from abuse and neglect.
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