By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
There’s a golden opportunity to help protect African elephants now that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a new Endangered Species Act rule. If finalized, the new rule would better regulate imports of African elephants and their parts, like hunting trophies, to the U.S. We have long advocated that the existing regulations are not strong enough.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
On the House floor Monday night, the House of Representatives voted 304 to 111 to pass the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act into law. With just a few weeks remaining in the 117th Congress, getting a vote in the Senate will take some effort. But with this resounding vote in the House, we’ve witnessed—and helped to deliver—the clearest possible message that Americans are sick of horse soring and want to see it abolished. Now it’s time to get the job all the way done.
As we continue to watch for final election results in several key races across the country, we first want to say thank you. Thank you for voting. Thank you for being concerned citizens weighing candidates’ positions on animal protection issues when you cast your ballot. And thank you for participating in one of the most crucial functions of our democratic republic.
By Brad Pyle
Our supporters are accustomed to hearing from us at HSLF about federal legislation, policy, and elections, but our work—and our impact for animals—extends far beyond Washington, D.C. We keep a close watch on critical local and state legislation and on politics that may have an impact on animals. And every year, HSLF’s team then meets with candidates seeking election to state and local offices, and in many instances HSLF issues endorsements and campaigns on their behalf.
Election Day will determine the composition of the U.S. Congress for 2023 and 2024. Every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 seats in the U.S. Senate are up for election this year—and the consequences for animals will be profound. Passing humane laws at the federal level begins by electing humane candidates to Congress. That’s why your HSLF meets with candidates, examines their records, and supports those whose commitments to animal protection are clear.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
This week, a court rejected an attempt by Smithfield Foods to dismiss the Humane Society of the United States’ lawsuit against the company for misrepresenting to customers how it treats mother pigs in its pork supply chain. This ruling means our case can go forward to trial.
By Jon Lovvorn
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about Proposition 12, California’s landmark law to address animal cruelty and public health issues stemming from the worst factory farming practices, such as confining pregnant pigs in gestation crates so small they can hardly move. Jon Lovvorn, senior vice president and chief counsel for our Animal Protection Law department, sat at the counsel table in support of Proposition 12. Here he reflects on what this moment in history means for the animal protection movement.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Today the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the most consequential law ever passed in relation to the treatment of farm animals, California’s Proposition 12. Passed by voters in 2018, Proposition 12 bans the extreme confinement of mother pigs, egg-laying hens and baby calves, and outlaws the sale of pork, eggs and veal sourced from extreme confinement.
Accountability is key to our efforts to secure the passage of animal-friendly federal legislation. We are accountable to our supporters as well as to the animals we seek to defend, and we never forget who we’re working for. We also work continuously to hold elected officials accountable for their track records wherever the interests of animals are concerned. Our annual Humane Scorecard is a tool to gauge where members of the House and Senate stand on our core priorities, and its publication makes their records plain to the world.
By a 46-9 vote today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 5441), setting the stage for congressional leaders to bring it to the House floor quickly for a vote. The bill, which currently has 261 sponsors and strong support from both parties, would amend the federal Horse Protection Act to eliminate industry-self policing, ban soring devices and strengthen penalties for soring, a furtive practice in which dishonest trainers use painful techniques to induce an artificially high-stepping gait in show horses to win prizes.
