Tenure: 119th Congress
Years of Service: 2025–Present
As one of the newest members of Congress, Rep. Yassamin Ansari has not yet accumulated the lengthy legislative record of more senior lawmakers. Nevertheless, her early voting record and public positions suggest she is likely to become a reliable ally on animal protection, wildlife conservation, and environmental issues. Coming from a background in climate policy and public service, Ansari’s approach aligns closely with the coalition of lawmakers who view animal welfare, habitat conservation, biodiversity protection, and environmental stewardship as interconnected priorities.
Although Ansari has not yet had the opportunity to sponsor a significant portfolio of animal-specific legislation, her voting record has consistently aligned with positions supported by major animal-protection and conservation organizations. Unlike many members who simply avoid the issue, she has repeatedly sided with maintaining or strengthening federal protections for wildlife and ecosystems.
Most notably, Ansari opposed H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which removed federal Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves. Animal-protection organizations strongly opposed the bill, arguing that Congress should not remove protections for a species through legislation and that wolf recovery remains incomplete in portions of the country. Her vote placed her firmly on the side of maintaining federal wildlife safeguards.
She also opposed H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act. Animal-protection and conservation advocates argued that the legislation would make it more difficult for federal agencies to address the impacts of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle on wildlife populations. By opposing the bill, Ansari aligned with organizations seeking stronger protections against lead poisoning in birds and other wildlife.
Ansari likewise opposed the Moore Amendment (House Roll Call Vote 149), which sought to exempt West Virginia’s remaining greyhound racing facilities from the national greyhound-racing prohibition included in the House Farm Bill. Animal welfare organizations strongly opposed the amendment and supported the underlying greyhound-racing ban. Her vote reflected support for ending commercial greyhound racing nationwide.
Her opposition to the House Farm Bill further reinforced that pattern. While the legislation included a greyhound-racing prohibition supported by many animal advocates, it also contained provisions preempting state animal-confinement standards and other state-level agricultural protections. Many national animal-protection organizations opposed the overall package on that basis. Ansari joined most Democrats in voting against the legislation.
Perhaps most importantly, Ansari’s broader policy framework suggests animal welfare concerns are likely to remain part of her legislative worldview. Throughout her public career, she has emphasized environmental protection, climate resilience, and conservation. While those issues are not synonymous with animal protection, they often overlap with efforts to preserve wildlife habitat, protect endangered species, and strengthen federal conservation laws.
Because she is only in her first term, it is premature to classify Ansari as a Champion of Animal Protection. She has not yet accumulated the extensive legislative leadership, sponsorships, and advocacy record that would justify that designation. However, her early record demonstrates consistent support for animal-protection priorities and positions her as a likely ally on future legislation.
Notable Actions
119th Congress
✅ Cosponsor of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, H.R. 1661, to ban U.S.-based horse slaughter and the export of horses for slaughter for human consumption.
✅ Cosponsor of the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 1684, to strengthen enforcement against the cruel practice of soring horses. The bill would ban devices associated with soring, require independent USDA-trained inspectors, increase penalties for violations, and strengthen the Horse Protection Act to better protect Tennessee Walking Horses and other affected breeds from intentional abuse.
✅ Cosponsor of the Puppy Protection Act, H.R. 2253, bipartisan legislation to strengthen federal standards of care for dogs kept by commercial breeders by improving requirements for housing, veterinary care, exercise, socialization, and humane breeding practices.
✅ Cosponsor of the Better CARE for Animals Act, H.R. 3112, to strengthen enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by expanding federal authority to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty violations and improve coordination between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Justice.
✅ Signed congressional letter opposing the SOB Act that would erode states’ rights, undermine family farmers, and expand foreign influence over U.S. food production.
✅ 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 “Nay” 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. A “Nay” vote is the pro-animal vote.
✅ Voted “Nay” 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. A “Nay” vote is the pro-animal position.
✅ Voted “Nay” on the Riley Moore Amendment to H.R. 7567 (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. A “Nay” vote is the pro-animal position.
✅ Voted “Nay” 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. A “Nay” vote is the pro-animal position.
✅ Voted “Nay” 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. A “Nay” vote is the pro-animal position.
✅ 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.