WASHINGTON (July 31, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Rep. Brendan Boyle for Pennsylvania’s 2nd Congressional District.

Rep. Boyle received a perfect score of "100" on HSLF’s 2017 Humane Scorecard, cosponsoring a wide range of legislation supporting animal protection issues while voting against several bills that would effectively dismantle existing protections.

Rep. Boyle is a lead sponsor of 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. This bill mirrors his work in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, where he joined in a unanimous vote on House Bill 1750 to criminalize this practice in 2013.

"Brendan Boyle has been a stalwart 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 for Rep. Boyle, and we encourage voters in Pennsylvania’s 2nd Congressional District who oppose animal cruelty to back his re-election."

Rep. Boyle 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. Boyle:

• 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.
• Sponsored 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.
• 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 against the Midnight Rules Relief Act (H.R. 21) which would allow Congress to overturn regulations en masse in the last year of a president’s term, endangering popular and broadly supported animal welfare regulations.
• Voted against the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (H.R. 26) which would negate broadly supported rules, including commonsense measures to implement and enforce animal protection laws.
• 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 (July 24, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Dana Nessel for attorney general of Michigan.

Dana Nessel began her legal career as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office where she was a voice for the voiceless. Nessel understands the correlation between violence against animals and violence against people—and worked to prosecute both. Attorneys general play a critical role in creating and enforcing animal protection laws at the state level and can assist prosecutors in cracking down on animal abusers.

"Dana Nessel will be a champion for animal protection as Michigan’s next attorney general," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "The Humane Society Legislative Fund is pleased to support Dana Nessel, and voters who care about the humane treatment of animals should back her election."

The Humane Society Legislative Fund has consistently played a critical role in championing animal protection measures and supporting humane candidates in Michigan.

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 with regulated funds 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 (July 9, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Rep. Josh Gottheimer for New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District.

Rep. Gottheimer received a perfect score of 100 on HSLF’s 2017 Humane Scorecard, having supported the full range of priority animal protection legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Josh Gottheimer is a consistent supporter of commonsense federal animal protection policies,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “The Humane Society Legislative Fund is pleased to support Josh Gottheimer, and voters in the 5th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should back his re-election.”

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

• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) 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 (PAWS) 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 (PACT) 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 (SAFE) 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.
• Cosponsored 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.
• 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 against H.J. Res. 69, a Congressional Review Act resolution to revoke a Fish and Wildlife Services 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 NPS lands in Alaska, including killing hibernating black bear mothers and cubs and shooting caribou while they are swimming and defenseless.
• 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.

WASHINGTON (July 5, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Rep. Matt Gaetz for Florida’s 1st Congressional District.

Rep. Gaetz is a co-leader of the Voluntary Checkoff Program Participation Act. Checkoff programs are mandatory fees imposed on farmers that provide hundreds of millions of dollars to opponents of the humane treatment of animals. He is also the Republican lead on the Chemical Poisons Reduction Act to prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s use of highly toxic and indiscriminate poisons in its predator control programs. He has spoken out against cruel and outdated animal toxicity testing conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, and led the charge to cut funding for such activities while maintaining funding for the development of alternatives.

“Matt Gaetz is a trailblazer for animals in the U.S. Congress,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “Congressman Gaetz is fighting to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to harm animals, and western Panhandle voters should re-elect him.”

Among his other efforts in the 115th Congress, Rep. Gaetz has:

• 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.
• Cosponsored the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) 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 (PACT) 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.
• 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.
• Cosponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 113) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Cosponsored 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.

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 (July 2, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Rep. Annie Kuster for New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District.

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator’s record on animal protection issues. Rep. Kuster received a 91 for her committed work in 2017, including her co-sponsorship of seven bills supported by HSLF.

"Annie Kuster is a tenacious advocate in the fight for a more humane society,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We are incredibly grateful for her help and urge all voters of New Hampshire’s 2nd district who support humane treatment of animals to cast their ballots to re-elect her.”

Among her efforts in the 115th Congress, Rep. Kuster has:

• Cosponsored the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) 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 (PACT) 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 (SAFE) 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.
• Cosponsored 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.
• 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.
• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) 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.
• 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.

WASHINGTON (July 2, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District.

In addition to earning a score of 100 on HSLF’s 2017 Humane Scorecard, Rep. Fitzpatrick has led efforts in the 115th Congress to crack down on problematic breeding facilities known as puppy mills. He is the lead sponsor of the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 4693) to update federal standards of care for dog breeders and the Welfare of our Friends Act (H.R. 4691) to prevent problem breeders from receiving new licenses from the USDA.

"As a former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent, Brian Fitzpatrick has a masterful understanding of the link between abuse of animals and violence against people, and is fighting to stop cruelty on all fronts," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "We urge Pennsylvanians to send this compassionate leader back to Congress in November."

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

• 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.
• Voted against H.J. Res. 69, a Congressional Review Act resolution to revoke a Fish and Wildlife Services 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 NPS lands in Alaska, including killing hibernating black bear mothers and cubs and shooting caribou while they are swimming and defenseless.
• Cosponsored the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) 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 (PACT) 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 (SAFE) 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.
• Cosponsored 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.
• 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.
• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) 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.

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 (July 2, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Rep. Peter Roskam for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District.

Rep. Roskam is the lead sponsor of the Parity in Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act, H.R. 4202, to ensure that federal prohibitions on animal fighting apply everywhere in the United States, including the territories. He introduced a parallel amendment during recent House consideration of the Farm Bill. The amendment passed by an overwhelming vote of 359-51.

“Peter Roskam is leading efforts to ensure that law enforcement has the tools it needs to crack down on cruel animal fighting wherever it occurs,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “The Humane Society Legislative Fund is pleased to support Peter Roskam, and voters in the 6th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should back his re-election.”

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

• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) 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 Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) 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 (SAFE) 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.
• Cosponsored 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.

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 (July 2, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Rep. Jeff Denham for California’s 10th Congressional District.

As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Denham has led efforts in the Farm Bill to ban the slaughter, trade, import and export of dogs and cats for human consumption. Significantly, Denham also fought against the King Amendment, a radical federal overreach that could nullify hundreds of state and local laws pertaining to agriculture products including those to restrict farm animal confinement, ban the sale of horse and dog meat, and crack down on puppy mills.

"Jeff Denham’s leadership of commonsense animal protection measures demonstrates that animal welfare is an issue of concern to family farmers and consumers alike," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "We enthusiastically support his re-election and urge Californians in the 10th district to vote to return him to the U.S. House of Representatives."

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

• 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.
• Introduced the Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 1818) to protect public safety and ensure animal welfare by prohibiting the possession and breeding of tigers, lions, leopards and other big cat species by private individuals and unqualified exhibitors.
• Sponsored the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) 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 All Soring Tactics (PAST) 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 Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) 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 (SAFE) 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.
• Cosponsored 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.

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 (July 2, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Rep. Vern Buchanan for Florida’s 16th Congressional District.

As co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, Rep. Buchanan is one of the foremost voices on animal protection in the Capitol. He leads the effort to end the slaughter of American horses for human consumption overseas by sponsoring H.R. 113, the Safeguard American Food Exports Act. Additionally, he is a lead sponsor of the Dog and Cat Meat Prohibition Act which will ban the domestic slaughter, trade and import of dogs and cats for human consumption.

“Vern Buchanan is a true champion of animal protection in the U.S. Capitol,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We urge humane voters in Florida’s 16th district to join us in enthusiastically supporting his re-election.”

Among his other efforts in the 115th Congress, Rep. Buchanan has:

• 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.
• Cosponsored the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) 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 (PACT) 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.
• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) 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.

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 (July 2, 2018)—Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Rep. Earl Blumenauer for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District.

Rep. Blumenauer is the Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, a bipartisan entity committed to passing commonsense federal animal protection legislation. He also received a perfect score of 100+ on HSLF’s 2017 Humane Scorecard. The roster of issues on which he has led in the 115th Congress includes ensuring that federal prohibitions on animal fighting apply everywhere in the United States, including the territories, providing service dogs to veterans with disabilities, and pressuring the USDA to restore online searchable access to animal welfare inspection reports.

“Earl Blumenauer never stops working for animals and the people that care for them,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “His unwavering record of leadership speaks for itself and we strongly urge Oregonians in the 3rd Congressional District to vote for Congressman Blumenauer.”

Among his other efforts in the 115th Congress, Rep. Blumenauer has:

• Cosponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) 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 (PAWS) 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 (PACT) 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 (SAFE) 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.
• Cosponsored 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.
• 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 against H.J. Res. 69, a Congressional Review Act resolution to revoke a Fish and Wildlife Services 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 NPS lands in Alaska, including killing hibernating black bear mothers and cubs and shooting caribou while they are swimming and defenseless.
• 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

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