Members of Congress and canine friends join Humane World for Animals at Capitol Hill reception
WASHINGTON (March 5, 2026)—Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, recognized 191 members of Congress for their leadership and commitment to animal protection at the annual Humane Awards celebration held on March 4. The Capitol Hill event recognized lawmakers from 39 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories for their bipartisan efforts to improve the lives of animals and end animal cruelty through federal policy in 2025.
Fifty senators and 141 representatives received honors for their work on key federal efforts supported by Humane World Action Fund during the first half of the 119th session of Congress. The full list of lawmakers and their legislative actions are available as part of Humane World Action Fund’s 2025 Humane Scorecard.
“Our Humane Award recipients personify the enduring bipartisan commitment to protecting animals through legislation and policy at the federal level, even in one of the most politically divided and turbulent sessions in recent memory,” said Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund. “In a year marked by budget reconciliation battles in Congress, major changes at federal agencies and the longest government shutdown in history, these lawmakers found common ground in their joint defense of strong enforcement for the Animal Welfare Act, the advancement of alternatives to animal testing and the campaign to shield state animal welfare laws. Such steadfast and principled leadership from the honorees shows that compassion for animals remains a unifying principle in Congress.”
In 2025, honorees helped build bipartisan support for the Better CARE for Animals Act and secured key appropriations wins to preserve funding for USDA enforcement and advance non-animal testing reforms. They also played a critical role in defending state farm animal welfare laws, including California’s Proposition 12, from repeated congressional attacks like we saw in this week’s House Farm Bill markup.
As the second session of the 119th Congress moves forward—and with all House seats and one-third of the Senate up for election—Humane World Action Fund will continue working across party lines to defend hard-won gains and elect leaders committed to humane policies.
Humane World Action Fund has been hosting the Humane Awards since 2005. The annual reception is a fun opportunity to express appreciation for the many legislators who advance animal protection in Congress.
Additional photos from the Congressional Humane Awards available by request.
Media Contact: Liz Bartolomeo: 240-472-0475, ebartolomeo@humaneaction.org
