Elections /
Deficit Reduction Must Tackle Ag Subsidies
Congressional leaders and the White House have reached an eleventh-hour deal to raise the debt ceiling and cut about $2.4 trillion in federal spending over the next 10 years. The deal still needs to pass both chambers of Congress to avoid defaulting on the federal debt.
Elections /
Governor Brown Steps Up to Stop Animal Cruelty
California Gov. Jerry Brown signed two important animal protection bills into law this week, filling gaps in the law and marking more measurable progress for animals in the Golden State.
Uncategorized /
Stop the Trade in Giant Snakes as Pets
Last week, a jury convicted a Florida couple for failing to protect 2-year-old Shaianna Hare, who was asphyxiated in her crib by a dangerous family pet—an 8-foot-6-inch, 13-pound albino Burmese python.
Elections /
Taking the Profit Out of Animal Fighting
Over the last decade, The HSUS and HSLF have worked with Congress several times to strengthen the federal law to combat dogfighting and cockfighting, closing loopholes on commerce in fighting birds and weapons attached to them, upgrading the penalties for all animal fighting to a felony offense, and barring the possession and training of fighting animals.
Uncategorized /
The Way Forward on Horse Welfare
The Government Accountability Office released a new report yesterday, “Horse Welfare: Action Needed to Address Unintended Consequences from Cessation of Domestic Slaughter,” and some proponents of horse slaughter are using it as a rallying cry to re-open equine abattoirs on American soil. But the GAO report is a lot more nuanced than the horse slaughter industry suggests, and the report provides some good insights into better policy solutions for horse welfare.
Uncategorized /
A Mixed Bag for Animals in Congress this Week
There is good news and bad news from the U.S. Congress on animal protection issues that reached the House floor this week as part of the debate over agriculture spending for Fiscal Year 2012. The horses dodged a bullet, while taxpayers and wildlife took a hit.
Uncategorized /
Celebrating Congressional Pets
It was a "bi-paw-tisan" event that brought "Re-pup-licans" and "Demo-cats" together last evening on Capitol Hill. Hundreds of people and dozens of dogs gathered in suspense as we handed out awards—and treats—and announced the winners of the second annual Congressional Pet Photo Contest, sponsored by HSLF and The HSUS. (Click here to see video.)
Uncategorized /
House to Vote on Funding Predator Control, Horse Slaughter, Ag Subsidies
The U.S. House of Representatives begins debate tomorrow on the annual appropriations bill to fund the budget of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Fiscal Year 2012. We expect several important issues related to animal welfare to come up, with potentially wide-ranging impacts on how taxpayer dollars are used for predator control, horse slaughter, and agriculture subsidies.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Progress for Farm Animals in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Agriculture has denied a permit for an Iowa-based agribusiness company, Hi-Q Egg Products, to construct a new battery cage facility confining six million egg-laying hens, which would be in addition to the nearly 27 million already in cages in the state.
Uncategorized /
Key Committee Action on Horse Slaughter, Ag Subsidies, and Animal Welfare Funding
The House Appropriations Committee last evening approved its version of the agriculture spending bill for Fiscal Year 2012, and sent it to the full House of Representatives for consideration, likely in a few weeks. The committee-passed bill included funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s enforcement of important animal welfare laws, and successful provisions to bar horse slaughter and cut subsidies to massive factory farms.
Ballot Measures /
State by State Roundup on Animal Protection
Nearly five months into 2011, many state legislatures have already adjourned for the year. There has been a tremendous amount of progress made on state policies to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, with most of the efforts led by HSLF and The HSUS, even while lawmakers’ attention is consumed with budget crises and other pressing social concerns.
Uncategorized /
Congressional Pets Have Their Day
Who is Capitol Hill’s most distinguished dog? The most captivating cat? How about the handsomest horse? We will soon find out, as Members of Congress and their staff over the last few weeks have been submitting photos of their beloved dogs, cats and horses for the 2011 Congressional Pet Photo Contest, co-sponsored by HSLF and The HSUS.
