Uncategorized /
Reprieve for New Mexico Chimps
I wrote in July about a misguided federal agency plan to transfer about 200 government-owned chimpanzees from a warehouse facility in New Mexico to an active research laboratory in Texas—and now I can convey some good news on this front.
Elections /
Congress Goes to the Dogs
Tomorrow marks the official start of the 112th Congress. So I thought I would share a fun and inspiring video highlighting how one of the new GOP members, incoming freshman Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona's 5th Congressional District, took his dog, Charlie, to work with him in the Maricopa County Treasurer’s Office. Charlie, who was adopted from an animal shelter, was eventually promoted to the rank of “morale officer.”
Uncategorized /
Three Big Congressional Wins to Close Out the Year
It has been a tremendous couple of weeks for national animal protection issues, as the U.S. Congress rushed to finish business in this lame-duck session. We are on our way to having three federal policies enacted in December that have long been priorities for HSLF and HSUS, and coupled with the other achievements in Congress and the 97 new animal protection laws at the state level, they are marking 2010 as a great year for animals.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Keep Politicians' Paws Off Prop B
Ever since Missouri citizens voted in favor of Proposition B—the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act—in November, a few politicians have been thumbing their noses at voters and talking about overturning the will of the people. One bill has already been pre-filed to repeal Prop B in its entirety, and others are expected to severely weaken or gut the core provisions of the measure.
Uncategorized /
Truth In Fur Labeling Act Passes Senate
The U.S. Senate last night gave final approval to H.R. 2480, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, to provide a much-needed upgrade to the nearly 60-year-old federal fur labeling law. The House previously passed the bill in July, and it now goes to President Obama for his signature.
Uncategorized /
Congress Can Spare Taxpayers and Animals
President Obama’s bipartisan deficit-reduction commission is making recommendations for reducing the deficit, and here at The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund we are proposing a few cost-cutting measures for lawmakers to consider in getting the country’s budget back on track.
Uncategorized /
Lame Duck Threatens Wolves
Gray wolves have suffered from a long history of inhumane treatment and abuse, persecuted to near extirpation in most of this country by the 1970s.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Muzzling the Gun Lobby
There are still a few congressional races to be decided with absentee and provisional votes being counted, but the broader results are in and it's an opportunity to take stock of how animal advocates fared on the ballot. And one of the markers of our progress is to compare how our endorsed candidates did with those of other political adversaries.
Uncategorized /
Not Just a Few Rotten Eggs
The U.S. Senate is scheduled today to take up S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, introduced by Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, which would give the Food and Drug Administration new authorities and resources to stop food safety problems before they start.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Prop B Opponents Trying to Rewrite History
Just days after a majority of Missouri voters approved Proposition B to crack down on puppy mill abuses in the nation’s largest puppy mill state and while provisional ballots are still being counted, a few Missouri politicians have pledged to work to overturn the initiative and to substitute their own judgment for the wisdom of the people. There is talk of a flurry of bills to be introduced in January to repeal the law.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Election Night Wrap-Up for Animals
It was a big election night for animals, with major victories against the puppy mill industry and agribusiness lobby in Missouri, and against the NRA and trophy hunting lobby in Arizona.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
What's At Stake Tomorrow for Animals
In less than 24 hours, voters will head to their polling precincts and cast their ballots on candidates and issues across the country. There is much at stake for animal protection in tomorrow’s contests, including whether some of our leading animal advocates in Congress will return to Washington in 2011, and whether voters will decide to ban canned hunts and crack down on puppy mill abuses.
