Press Release

Animal Wellness Action Endorses Betty McCollum in Race for Re-Election in Minnesota’s 4th Congressional District

Congresswoman deserves support for steadfast commitment to animal welfare

Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action, a national policy and political organization seeking to enhance and advance legal protections for animals, has endorsed Rep. Betty McCollum for re-election in the race for Minnesota’s 4th congressional district.

“Betty McCollum is a strong supporter of animal welfare in the U.S. Congress, and she’s been a critical voice in fending off efforts in Congress to remove federal protections for endangered wolves,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “She understands that cruelty to animals matters, whether the victims are wild or domesticated animals.”

Earlier this year, Rep. McCollum voted against two measures the House Republican leadership brought up on the House floor that would have been disastrous for wildlife. The first bill (H.R. 764) would have stripped Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves across much of the lower 48 states, opening the door to trophy hunting and commercial trapping. Such a policy might also expose wolves to being recreationally run over with snowmobiles – a practice that came to light earlier this year in Wyoming. The second bill (H.R. 615) would have restricted land management officials from regulating the use of hazardous lead ammunition on public lands and waterways. Every year, ingested spent lead poisons millions of wild scavenger species, including our nation’s iconic bald eagles.

Pacelle also commended Rep. McCollum for co-sponsoring the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R. 3475) to end the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption.

“Animal Wellness Action urges voters in the 4th congressional district of Minnesota who care about animal welfare and who abhor animal cruelty to back Rep. McCollum this fall,” Pacelle said.

The full endorsement letter for Rep. McCollum may be viewed here.

Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News