Tenure: 117th–119th Congresses
Years of Service: 2021–Present
Rep. Jay Obernolte’s record on animal protection issues is defined more by limited engagement than by sustained leadership in either direction. While he has participated in several important votes affecting wildlife, farm animals, and conservation policy, animal welfare has not emerged as a significant focus of his congressional career. As a result, his record is best characterized as one of sporadic involvement rather than active support or opposition.
Representing a large district encompassing much of California’s High Desert and mountain communities, Obernolte has generally aligned with mainstream Republican positions on public lands, wildlife management, and agricultural issues. These positions have often placed him at odds with animal protection advocates, particularly on questions involving federal wildlife protections and regulatory authority.
His voting record on several major animal protection issues has been unfavorable. Obernolte voted for H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which would remove federal Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves. He also voted for H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, which would restrict federal agencies’ ability to regulate lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle on federal lands and waters. Because lead poisoning remains a significant source of mortality for condors, eagles, loons, swans, and other wildlife species, the vote aligned with efforts to limit federal action on a major wildlife-conservation issue.
Obernolte likewise voted for the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, which included provisions that would preempt state farm-animal welfare laws such as California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3. The legislation represented one of the most significant federal challenges to state animal welfare standards in recent years and was strongly opposed by animal protection organizations.
At the same time, Obernolte’s record is not uniformly negative. He is a cosponsor of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, legislation designed to accelerate the development and adoption of scientifically advanced alternatives to animal testing. The bill seeks to reduce reliance on animal experimentation in medical research and product development while promoting innovative testing methods that may provide more relevant data for human health. His support for the legislation demonstrates a willingness to engage positively on animal welfare issues when they intersect with scientific innovation and technological advancement.
Obernolte also voted against the Greene Amendment, which sought to prohibit federal support for cultivated meat and related technologies. While cultivated meat remains an emerging industry, it is also a promising avenue for reducing reliance on conventional animal agriculture and decreasing the number of animals raised and slaughtered for food. His vote helped preserve federal support for research and innovation in this area.
Unlike some members who have built extensive records through sponsorship of animal-related legislation, Obernolte has not established a significant profile on issues such as horse protection, anti-cruelty enforcement, wildlife trafficking, greyhound racing, farm-animal welfare, or wildlife conservation. There is little evidence of sustained legislative engagement with the animal protection movement’s major priorities.
That absence of engagement is what ultimately distinguishes Obernolte from members classified as Animal Opponents. While several of his votes have been unfavorable, he has not emerged as a leading advocate for rolling back animal protections, nor has he devoted substantial legislative energy to opposing animal welfare measures. Instead, his record reflects a lawmaker whose attention has generally been focused elsewhere.
Notable Actions
119th Congress
✅ Cosponsor of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, H.R. 2821, to direct the FDA to update its regulations consistent with a law passed by Congress in 2022 that made animal testing optional in new drug development.
✅ Supported House passage of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, H.R. 2821, which passed by voice vote under suspension of the rules on July 20, 2026. The bipartisan legislation directs the FDA to update its regulations to fully implement the 2022 law allowing scientifically valid non-animal methods to be used instead of animal testing in drug development.
❌ Voted “Aye” on H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act (House Roll Call Vote 93), to prohibit federal land management agencies from restricting the use of toxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle on public lands and waters to protect wildlife from poisoning. The bill passed the House 215–202. An “Aye” vote is the anti-animal position because it limited the federal government’s ability to restrict toxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle that poison wildlife and contaminate the environment.
❌ Voted “Aye” on H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act (House Roll Call Vote 360), to remove federal Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves across much of the United States and restricted judicial review of future wolf management decisions. The bill passed the House 211–204. An “Aye” vote is the anti-animal position because it removed Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves and limited judicial review of future wolf management decisions.
❌ Voted “Aye” on the Riley Moore Amendment (House Roll Call Vote 149), to weaken the Farm Bill’s Greyhound Protection Act provisions by creating a special exemption allowing commercial greyhound racing to continue in West Virginia indefinitely. The House rejected the amendment 187–237. An “Aye” vote is the anti-animal position because it sought to weaken greyhound protections by allowing commercial greyhound racing to continue indefinitely in West Virginia.
❌ Voted “Aye” on H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act (House Roll Call Vote 154), to pass the Farm Bill, which included a provision to overturn state laws in California and Massachusetts restricting in-state sales of fresh pork sourced from farms that do not provide minimum space requirements for the housing of pregnant pigs. The bill passed the House 224–200. An “Aye” vote is the anti-animal position because it supported overturning state farm animal welfare laws that require more humane housing standards for pregnant pigs.
❌ Voted “Aye” on the Biggs Amendment to H.R. 3838 (House Roll Call Vote 259), to exempt defense-related activities from the requirements of the Endangered Species Act, eliminating protections for endangered and threatened species and their critical habitat on military lands and during defense operations. The House rejected the amendment 200–228. An “Aye” vote is the anti-animal position because it sought to weaken Endangered Species Act protections for threatened and endangered wildlife on military lands.
✅ Voted “Nay” on the Greene Amendment to H.R. 3838 (House Roll Call Vote 254), to prohibit the Department of Defense from using FY2026 funds for the research, development, procurement, or promotion of cell-cultured meat, an emerging alternative to conventional slaughter-based meat production. The House rejected the amendment 194–236, with 1 voting present. A “Nay” vote is the pro-animal position.
118th Congress
✅ Cosponsor of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, H.R. 7248, to direct the FDA to update its regulations consistent with a law passed by Congress in 2022 that made animal testing optional in new drug development.
❌ Voted “Aye” on H.R. 764 (House Roll Call Vote 169), legislation to remove federal protections for gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act across most of the United States and return management authority to the states. Wildlife advocates warned that the bill would undermine science-based wildlife management and threaten the long-term recovery of gray wolf populations. The House passed the bill 209–205. An “Aye” vote is the anti-animal position because it removed Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves across much of the United States, despite concerns that doing so would undermine their long-term recovery and science-based wildlife management.
❌ Voted “Aye” on H.R. 615 (House Roll Call Vote 167), legislation to bar the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from prohibiting or regulating the use of toxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands and waters made available for hunting or fishing. Lead ammunition and tackle poison wildlife, including eagles, loons, condors, and other animals that ingest spent lead fragments or lost fishing gear. The House passed the bill 214–201. An “Aye” vote is the anti-animal position because it blocked federal agencies from restricting toxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle that poison eagles, loons, condors, and other wildlife.
117th Congress
✅ Voted “Aye” on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 5441 (House Roll Call Vote 478). The bill would strengthen enforcement of the Horse Protection Act and help end the cruel practice of “soring” Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses. Soring involves intentionally inflicting severe pain on horses’ legs and hooves through caustic chemicals, chains, pressure devices, or other abusive methods to force an exaggerated, high-stepping gait known as the “Big Lick.” The motion was agreed to by a vote of 304–111, exceeding the two-thirds majority required under the suspension of the rules procedure. An “Aye” vote is the pro-animal position.
❌ Voted “Nay” on Big Cat Public Safety Act, H.R. 263 (House Roll Call Vote 415), legislation to end the private possession and commercial breeding of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, and other big cats while prohibiting public contact with these animals. The bill targeted the exploitative cub-petting industry and roadside zoos, where big cats are repeatedly bred, handled, and discarded, while strengthening protections for both animals and public safety. A “Nay” vote is the anti-animal position because it opposed ending the commercial exploitation and private ownership of big cats.