New York lawmaker recognized for leadership on animal testing reform, animal cruelty enforcement, and ending the mass killing of male chicks
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action today announced its endorsement of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) in the Republican primary election scheduled for June 23, 2026, citing her outstanding leadership on a broad range of animal welfare issues, including efforts to reduce animal testing, combat animal cruelty, and advance innovative solutions to end the mass killing of male chicks in the egg industry.
“Congresswoman Malliotakis has emerged as a leader in in Congress in working to stop animal testing and to fighting malicious forms of animal cruelty,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “She has demonstrated that protecting animals and promoting scientific innovation can go hand in hand, and she has consistently backed common-sense measures to prevent cruelty and strengthen enforcement of our nation’s animal protection laws.”
Animal Wellness Action applauded Malliotakis for securing House passage of two amendments to the Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Act aimed at reducing and ultimately ending painful animal testing. One amendment would prevent federal funds from being used to require testing on dogs through the Food and Drug Administration, while the second would restrict U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for painful research involving dogs and cats.
The organization also highlighted Malliotakis’ leadership in introducing the bipartisan EGG SAVE Act (H.R. 5776), legislation designed to accelerate adoption of in-ovo sexing technology and phase out the routine culling of millions of newly hatched male chicks in the egg industry.
In addition, Animal Wellness Action praised Malliotakis for serving as a co-lead of the FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act (H.R. 3683), legislation that would establish a specialized unit within the Federal Bureau of Investigation dedicated to investigating severe acts of animal cruelty, including dogfighting, cockfighting, and the production and distribution of animal crush videos.
The organization also recognized her opposition to an amendment offered by Rep. Riley Moore that would have weakened protections contained in the Greyhound Protection Act.
Beyond her legislative leadership, Malliotakis has built a strong record of support for major animal welfare measures before Congress, including the FIGHT Act (H.R. 3946), the SAFE Act (H.R. 1661), the Greyhound Protection Act (H.R. 5017), the CARGO Act (H.R. 1085), and the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 (H.R. 2821).
“Animal welfare is not a partisan issue,” Pacelle said, and it’s clear that Congresswoman Malliotakis is passionate about animal welfare.”
Animal Wellness Action encourages voters in New York’s 11th Congressional District to support Rep. Malliotakis in the Republican primary election on June 23.
The full endorsement letter for Rep. Malliotakis may be viewed here.