Critical insights at the intersection of animals and politics
Three amendments focus on funding and enforcing our federal laws on protecting animals and promoting species survival The House yesterday took decisive action on a series of amendments to a massive, multi-agency spending bill (aka, “the mini-bus”) that marked one of the most successful days ever in that chamber and yet another marker of Animal … Read more
House approves $3 Million in Two Efforts to Halt Animal Fighting and Other Anti-Cruelty Enforcement, A Third Action Restricts Elephant, Lion Trophy Imports Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House passed three animal protection amendments to H.R. 3055 that seek proper enforcement of our federal animal welfare and protection of vulnerable species. Two amendments attracted … Read more
Animal Wellness Action and Animal Wellness Foundation Pushing Enforcement of Our Federal Anti-cruelty and Conservation Laws Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House Committee on Rules made three pro-animal protection amendments to H.R. 3055 in order, allowing each to proceed to the House floor for consideration. The amendments have broad bipartisan support and seek to dedicate funding … Read more
Some of the nation’s most experienced and savvy law enforcement professionals commit to fortifying the legal framework against cruelty in the United States If laws aren’t enforced, they are just fancy papers. At best, they’re only exhortations. We most certainly need a framework for good behavior in society, but we also need men and women … Read more
Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson and District Attorney Joshua Marquis to Lead Group Seeking Robust Enforcement of Anti-Cruelty Laws Washington, D.C. — The Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF) and Animal Wellness Action (AWA) have announced the formation of a National Law Enforcement Council (NLEC), co-chaired by Drew Edmondson and Josh Marquis, and dedicated to enforcing … Read more
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) have put partisan issues aside and joined together to introduce the Horseracing Integrity Act to end the doping of American race horses and create a uniform national standard for drug testing that would be overseen by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). “Horses … Read more
The U.S. can play a major role by halting imports of sport-hunted trophies of threatened and endangered species According to a report issued by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service this spring, the United States granted import permits between 2013 and 2017 for 32,100 black bears, 10,122 sandhill cranes, 2,645 African lions, 2,552 Chacma baboons, and 2,148 mountain … Read more
Congress slow to act on free-standing bills, but rapid-fire action on animal issues tied to annual spending measures In recent weeks, we’ve seen some significant movement on animal protection issues in the Congress. Overall, there are dozens of bills introduced to drive reform on a broad range of wildlife, anti-cruelty, animal testing, companion animal, and … Read more
Washington D.C. — The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations has signaled it wants to see the Department of Justice (DOJ) step up its work to prosecute animal cruelty crimes, including animal fighting – a bloody and horrific practice that pits animals against each other in a fight to the death for gambling and entertainment. The Committee … Read more
H.R. 693, the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act, one of few to attract 290 House cosponsors and to come to floor under “Problem Solvers Caucus” rule Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings Memorial Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 693, secured its 290th cosponsor, triggering a new House Rule to move the … Read more