WASHINGTON (September 12, 2018)—The Humane Society Legislative Fund and the Humane Society of the United States are applauding House passage of three pro-animal measures on the suspension calendar today – a bill to prohibit the dog and cat meat trade in the U.S., a resolution to urge other nations to end the dog and cat meat trade in their countries, and a bill to combat wildlife trafficking globally. All three passed by voice vote following strong bipartisan statements of support.

H.R. 6720 makes it illegal to knowingly slaughter, ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, possess, purchase, sell or donate a dog or cat or his or her parts for human consumption, and authorizes a fine of up to $5,000 for each violation. H. Res. 401 urges the governments of China, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, India and other nations to adopt and enforce existing laws banning the dog and cat meat trade.

“We commend Reps. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., and Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., for their leadership in getting the overwhelming majority of the U.S. House to pass legislation to end the horrific cruelty of the dog and cat meat trade,” said Humane Society Legislative Fund President Sara Amundson. “Today’s action demonstrates the commitment of Congress to prevent a truly appalling trade from taking hold in the U.S. and to strengthen our hand in seeking to end it worldwide. Around 30 million dogs and untold numbers of cats are subjected to this brutal industry globally every year, with animals often snatched off the street or stolen from loving families, still wearing collars as they are subjected to unspeakable abuse to end up on someone’s dinner plate. We thank our supporters who contacted their legislators to help advance this priority campaign led by our colleagues at Humane Society International.”

The House global resolution is now finished. The groups urge the Senate to swiftly approve the common-sense domestic ban bill, which mirrors provisions the Senate already passed in July as part of its Farm Bill. (The precursor ban bill, H.R. 1406, was incorporated into the House Farm Bill, and has 245 cosponsors.)

Momentum is growing around the world to end the dog and cat meat trade. Humane Society International/Korea recently delivered 1 million signatures to end the dog meat industry to South Korean President Moon Jae-In. HSI has worked with South Korean dog meat farmers to help them transition to more humane livelihoods, closing 12 dog meat farms and bringing more than 1,300 dogs to Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States where they could be placed for adoption. The dog meat trade is outlawed in Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore. The government of Indonesia has also pledged to ban the trade. In a 2016 poll, more than 8.6 million Chinese people expressed support for a proposal to ban trade in dog and cat meat, making it the most popular of all 142 legislative proposals made available for online voting in China that year.

“We also applaud Reps. Dan Donovan, R- N.Y., and Joaquin Castro, D- Tex., for their leadership to end the scourge of wildlife trafficking,” Amundson said. H.R. 6197, the Rescuing Animals with Rewards (RAWR) Act, builds on a law enacted in 2016 (P.L. 114-231). This bill authorizes the Department of State to use its successful rewards program to target wildlife traffickers.

“Wildlife trafficking is one of the most lucrative illicit trades in the world, bringing in over $10 billion a year in illegal profits and threatening endangered species worldwide,” Amundson said. “The RAWR Act provides an important additional tool to combat illegal wildlife trafficking on a global scale.”

Media Contact: Emily Ehrhorn: 202-779-1814; eehrhorn@humanesociety.org

##

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

WASHINGTON (September 7, 2018)—The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund applaud the 218 Representatives—constituting a majority of the U.S. House—who have signed on as sponsors and cosponsors of the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act to finally bring an end to the export and slaughter of American equines for human consumption. With broad bipartisan support, the bill aims to protect our nation’s equines from the cruel and predatory horse slaughter industry, which is opposed by an overwhelming majority of Americans, enriches a tiny handful of profiteers and places all of our equine companions at risk.

“We commend these federal legislators who have taken a stand with most Americans who view our horses as partners in work, recreation and sport, and as cultural icons for the crucial role they’ve played in our nation’s history,” said Kitty Block, acting president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “With a bipartisan majority supporting the bill, we urge House leadership to put the SAFE Act on the suspension calendar for a vote soon, and the Senate to follow suit.”

The SAFE Act’s lead sponsors—Reps. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.; Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill.; Ed Royce, R-Calif.; and Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M.— introduced the measure in early January 2017, and the bill has since steadily gained support from representatives around the country from both parties. Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; and Susan Collins, R-Maine, introduced a parallel bill, S. 1706, in August 2017 that now has 30 sponsors and cosponsors.

Media Contact: Alison Shapiro: 301-721-6472; ashapiro@humanesociety.org

##

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

WASHINGTON (August 28, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Peter King for New York’s 2nd Congressional District..

Rep. Peter King received a score of “83” on HSLF’s 2017 Humane Scorecard, cosponsoring a wide range of animal protection legislation, while voting against bills that would dismantle existing protections for animals. Rep. King has helped lead efforts to protect wild horses, end wildlife trafficking, and crack down on the ivory trade in annual funding legislation. He also voted for an amendment to the Farm Bill that would clearly extend current animal fighting prohibitions to all U.S. jurisdictions, including the U.S. territories (H.Amdt. 630).

"Rep. Peter King has been a consistent advocate for animals in Congress," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "The Humane Society Legislative Fund is pleased to announce our support, and we encourage voters in New York’s 2nd Congressional District to back his re-election."

In addition to his voting record, Rep. Peter King is a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, a bipartisan organization committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues in Congress.

Among his efforts in the 115th Congress, Rep. King:

• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1847) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of Tennessee Walking horses in shows—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Cosponsored the Pet and Women Safety Act (H.R. 909) to protect the human and animal survivors of domestic violence and support the work of domestic violence shelters to accommodate pets.
• Cosponsored the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (H.R. 1494) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws.
• Cosponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 113) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Cosponsored the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act (H.R. 1456) to prohibit the trade of shark fins, for which sharks are hunted and their maimed bodies returned to the ocean.
• Coponsored the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2017 (H.R. 1406) to prohibit the domestic slaughter, trade and import of dogs and cats for human consumption.
• Voted against H.J. Res. 69, a Congressional Review Act resolution to revoke a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that prohibits specific egregiously cruel and unsporting hunting methods on more than 76 million acres of National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska.
• Voted against a harmful rider (H.Amdt. 351) that sought to block regulations that prohibit scientifically unjustified and cruel methods of trophy hunting on over 20 million acres of National Park Service lands in Alaska, including killing hibernating black bear mothers and cubs and shooting caribou while they are swimming and defenseless.

Media Contact: press@hslf.org

###

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (August 28, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Veronica Escobar for Texas’ 16th Congressional District.

As El Paso County Commissioner, Escobar worked to fund a low-cost spay/neuter program in unincorporated areas of the county. She was also able to secure funding for Pets Advancing Wellness and Success, which is a program operated by the El Paso County Sheriff to provide vocational training for inmates who help care for animals who have been returned after being adopted. The program provides job skills for the inmates and benefits animals who might not otherwise get another chance to be placed in new homes.

"Veronica Escobar has clearly demonstrated her commitment to animal welfare," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "The Humane Society Legislative Fund is pleased to announce our support, and we encourage voters who love animals to back her election to the U.S. Congress."

Escobar has pledged to support important federal animal welfare issues, including:

• Supporting the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (H.R. 1494) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws.
• Supporting the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 113) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Supporting the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2017 (H.R. 1406) to prohibit the domestic slaughter, trade and import of dogs and cats for human consumption.
• Supporting the Pet and Women Safety Act (H.R. 909) to protect the human and animal survivors of domestic violence and support the work of domestic violence shelters to accommodate pets.
• Supporting the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act (H.R. 2327) to make grants to eligible nonprofit organizations that provide trained service dogs to veterans with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Supporting the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1847) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of Tennessee Walking horses in shows—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Supporting the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 4693) to upgrade standards of care for dogs in large-scale commercial breeding operations.
• Supporting the Welfare of our Friends Act (H.R. 4691) to prevent problem dog breeders from receiving USDA licenses.

Media Contact: press@hslf.org

###

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (August 28, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Brendan Kelly for Illinois’ 12th Congressional District.

Kelly, a prosecutor in St. Clair County, helped implement an animal protection protocol to investigate and prosecute animal abuse and neglect. His office also worked to improve animal care and control in the county and to help move local shelters away from euthanizing adoptable and treatable animals.

"Brendan Kelly will be a strong voice for animal protection legislation," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "The Humane Society Legislative Fund is pleased to announce our support, and we encourage voters who love animals to back his election."

Kelly has pledged to support important federal animal welfare issues, including:

• Supporting the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (H.R. 1494) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws.
• Supporting the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 113) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Supporting the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2017 (H.R. 1406) to prohibit the domestic slaughter, trade and import of dogs and cats for human consumption.
• Supporting the Pet and Women Safety Act (H.R. 909) to protect the human and animal survivors of domestic violence and support the work of domestic violence shelters to accommodate pets.
• Supporting the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act (H.R. 2327) to make grants to eligible nonprofit organizations that provide trained service dogs to veterans with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Supporting the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1847) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of Tennessee Walking horses in shows—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Supporting the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 4693) to upgrade standards of care for dogs in large-scale commercial breeding operations.
• Supporting the Welfare of our Friends Act (H.R. 4691) to prevent problem dog breeders from receiving USDA licenses.

Media Contact: press@hslf.org

###

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (August 28, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Lance Gooden for Texas’ 5th Congressional District.

Gooden co-authored legislation in the Texas House of Representatives that would make it a crime to leave a dog tethered outdoors without access to shelter and water. He also supported House Bill 1451, a bill to protect consumers and animals from the worst abuses in large-scale commercial dog breeding operations. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed the bill into law in 2011.

"Lance Gooden is committed to ending animal cruelty," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "The Humane Society Legislative Fund is pleased to announce our support, and we encourage voters who love animals to back his election to the U.S. Congress."

Gooden has pledged to support important federal animal welfare issues, including:

• Supporting the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (H.R. 1494) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws.
• Supporting the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 113) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Supporting the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2017 (H.R. 1406) to prohibit the domestic slaughter, trade and import of dogs and cats for human consumption.
• Supporting the Pet and Women Safety Act (H.R. 909) to protect the human and animal survivors of domestic violence and support the work of domestic violence shelters to accommodate pets.
• Supporting the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act (H.R. 2327) to make grants to eligible nonprofit organizations that provide trained service dogs to veterans with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Supporting the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1847) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of Tennessee Walking horses in shows—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Supporting the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 4693) to upgrade standards of care for dogs in large-scale commercial breeding operations.
• Supporting the Welfare of our Friends Act (H.R. 4691) to prevent problem dog breeders from receiving USDA licenses.

Media Contact: press@hslf.org

###

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (August 28, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Susan Wild for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.

"Susan Wild has committed to being a strong supporter of animal protection legislation in Congress," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "The Humane Society Legislative Fund is pleased to announce our support, and we encourage voters who love animals to back her election."

Wild has pledged to support important federal animal welfare issues, including:

• Supporting the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (H.R. 1494) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws.
• Supporting the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2017 (H.R. 1406) to prohibit the domestic slaughter, trade and import of dogs and cats for human consumption.
• Supporting the Pet and Women Safety Act (H.R. 909) to protect the human and animal survivors of domestic violence and support the work of domestic violence shelters to accommodate pets.
• Supporting the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act (H.R. 2327) to make grants to eligible nonprofit organizations that provide trained service dogs to veterans with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Supporting the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1847) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of Tennessee Walking horses in shows—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2790) to phase out the testing of cosmetics on live animals and the sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics.

Media Contact: press@hslf.org

###

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (August 28, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Colin Allred for Texas’ 32nd Congressional District.

"Colin Allred will be a strong, intelligent voice for animal welfare in the U.S. Congress," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "The Humane Society Legislative Fund is pleased to announce our endorsement and we encourage voters who love animals to back his election to represent Texas’ 32nd congressional district."

Allred has pledged to support important federal animal welfare issues, including:

• Supporting the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (H.R. 1494) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws.
• Supporting the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 113) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Supporting the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2017 (H.R. 1406) to prohibit the domestic slaughter, trade and import of dogs and cats for human consumption.
• Supporting the Pet and Women Safety Act (H.R. 909) to protect the human and animal survivors of domestic violence and support the work of domestic violence shelters to accommodate pets.
• Supporting the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act (H.R. 2327) to make grants to eligible nonprofit organizations that provide trained service dogs to veterans with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Supporting the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1847) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of Tennessee Walking horses in shows—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2790), to phase out the testing of cosmetics on live animals and the sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics.

Media Contact: press@hslf.org

###

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (August 28, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Harley Rouda for California’s 48th Congressional District.

"Harley Rouda will be a committed voice for animals, supporting commonsense animal protection policies before the U.S. Congress," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "The Humane Society Legislative Fund is pleased to announce our support, and we encourage voters who love animals to back his election."

Rouda has pledged to support important federal animal welfare issues, including:

• Supporting the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (H.R. 1494) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws.
• Supporting the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 113) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Supporting the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2017 (H.R. 1406) to prohibit the domestic slaughter, trade and import of dogs and cats for human consumption.
• Supporting the Pet and Women Safety Act (H.R. 909) to protect the human and animal survivors of domestic violence and support the work of domestic violence shelters to accommodate pets.
• Supporting the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act (H.R. 2327) to make grants to eligible nonprofit organizations that provide trained service dogs to veterans with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Supporting the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1847) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of Tennessee Walking horses in shows—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2790), to phase out the testing of cosmetics on live animals and the sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics.

Media Contact: press@hslf.org

###

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (August 28, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Rep. Conor Lamb for Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District.

While serving in the Marines, Rep. Lamb witnessed the essential role animals play in national security and in assisting our veterans as they return home. As a former federal prosecutor, Rep. Lamb knows that people who abuse animals are more likely to commit violent crimes in the future.

"Conor Lamb is committed to supporting commonsense animal protection measures in the U.S. Congress," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We urge voters in the 17th district who care about animals to support Conor Lamb for Congress."

In his first four months in office, Rep. Lamb has:

• Cosponsored the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (H.R. 1494) to make malicious animal cruelty a crime on federal property and in interstate commerce, and complement the state anti-cruelty laws.
• Cosponsored the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2790), to phase out the testing of cosmetics on live animals and the sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics.
• Voted for an amendment (H.Amdmt. 630) to the Farm Bill to clarify that federal prohibitions against dogfighting and cockfighting activity that affects interstate or foreign commerce apply to all U.S. jurisdictions, including the U.S. territories.

Media Contact: press@hslf.org

###

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.