WASHINGTON (Oct. 28, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District to support Rep. Polis in November’s general election.

“Jared Polis is working to promote the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures, and he has been a leading voice in Congress calling for an end to ivory poaching,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 2nd District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Jared Polis for re-election.”

Among his efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Polis:

• Led a group letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urging the Agency to crack down on the illegal poaching of elephants for the ivory trade.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R.1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.2856) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R.1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R. 1731), to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R.366), which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill and made it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare, and agriculture. The amendment was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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 (Oct. 28, 2014)  – The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced the launch of a new television advertising campaign urging Michigan voters to elect Gary Peters, D-Mich., to the  U.S. Senate. The ad began airing today in the Detroit and Grand Rapids markets and will run through Election Day.

“Gary Peters has been an effective leader in stamping out cruelties such as animal crush videos and working to crack down on puppy mills and animal fighting,” said Michael Markarian, president of HSLF. “He’s stood up for the values of kindness and compassion and will continue this important work to protect Michigan families and their pets in the U.S. Senate.”
 
In Congress, Rep. Peters has advocated for a number of common-sense animal protection policies, including:

• Sponsored and successfully passed legislation to ban commerce in animal “crush” videos showing the intentional torture of puppies, kittens and other live animals for the sexual pleasure of viewers (P.L.111-294).
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R.366), which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill and made it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act (H.R.847) to protect dogs and consumers by cracking down on large-scale puppy mill abuses.
• Led a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture. The amendment was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Urged the USDA's Inspector General to audit the agency's controversial “Wildlife Services” lethal predator control program, which spends millions of our tax dollars as a subsidy for private ranchers who want the federal government to kill wildlife with cruel methods like toxic poisons and steel-jawed leg-hold traps.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R.1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.2856) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R.1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Co-sponsored of the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R.1731), to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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 (Oct. 21, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of  Florida state Attorney General Pamela Bondi for re-election. Citing her strong support of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges Florida voters in to support Bondi in November’s general election.

“Attorney General Bondi has been a strong supporter of upholding existing laws and supporting new legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “A vote to return Pam Bondi to the Attorney General’s office is a vote for the humane treatment of all animals.”

In July 2014, Attorney General Bondi obtained a temporary injunction and asset freeze against five Jacksonville residents for the alleged illegal importation, breeding and sale of English bulldog puppies for sale through various websites. The defendants allegedly sold more than700 English bulldogs ranging in price from $1,500 to $2,300 each, with more than $1 million in potential profits. Many of the puppies suffered from congenital defects, parasites and other serious health and behavioral issues.

Bondi was also a strong supporter of S.B. 742, a greyhound injury reporting bill introduced in the last legislative session. Florida, along with Alabama, is one of only two states that do not report greyhound injuries to the public. In the states with injury reporting laws, the number of greyhounds euthanized has significantly declined.

Among her other efforts in office to support animal protection efforts, Attorney General Bondi has shown her personal commitment to animals by working with Florida humane organizations to promote shelter pet adoption. At every cabinet meeting for the last two years to, she hosts a special canine guest, an adoptable dog from a Florida animal shelters whom she highlights to engage her fellow cabinet members and lawmakers. 

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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 (Oct. 20, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing her strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in New York’s 6th Congressional District to support Rep. Meng in November’s general election.

“Grace Meng has been a champion of animal protection. She’s been a leading voice calling for an end to ivory poaching and crackdown on cruel shark finning,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 6th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Grace Meng for Congress.”

Among her efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Meng:

• Co-sponsored a resolution (H.Res.285) urging the United States to ban and prevent the import of shark fins from sharks caught through the brutal practice of “finning”—in which sharks have their fins cut off at sea, often while still alive, and suffer and die just for a bowl of soup.; led efforts to ensure that state laws barring the trade in shark fins are not preempted.
• Led a group letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture urging the agency to close a loophole in federal regulations that allows downer veal calves—those too sick, injured or weak to stand on their own—to be abused and slaughtered for food.
• Authored letters to the leadership of the New York state legislature urging them to pass a historic bill banning the sale and purchase of elephant ivory and rhino horn.
• Co-authored a letter requesting adequate funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s international conservation programs, including anti-poaching and wildlife trafficking.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R.1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.2856) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R.1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Co-sponsored of the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R.1731), to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R.366) which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture. The amendment was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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 (Oct. 20, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing her support and advocacy of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District to support Rep. Bustos in November’s general election.

“Cheri Bustos has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and she is working to promote the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in Illinois’ 17th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Cheri Bustos for Congress.”

Among her other efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Bustos:

• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R.1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.2856) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R.366) which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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 (Oct. 16, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his career-long leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District to support Rep. Blumenauer in November’s general election.

“Earl Blumenauer has been at the forefront of every major federal bill protecting animals from cruelty and abuse, and he’s someone the people of the 3rd District can count on to fight for values they care about,” said Wayne Pacelle, executive vice president of the HSLF. “He’s amassed a stellar record over his tenure in Congress, and I ask voters to return Representative Blumenauer for another term so he can keep fighting the battle for compassion and kindness for all animals, from farm animals to wildlife caught up in the exotic pet trade.”  

Among his efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Blumenauer:

• Is a prime sponsor of the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.2856) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R.1731) to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Sponsored an amendment to the Farm Bill (H.R. 1947, H. Amdt. 185) that would have reformed the Environmental Quality Incentives Program by increasing access for farmers and eliminating payments to projects that do not show strong conservation benefits.
• Led the effort to marshal the support of his colleagues on a group letter urging adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.
• Co-authored a letter to the Department of the Interior in support of protecting the African lion under the Endangered Species Act.
• Authored a letter to the National Institutes of Health requesting implementation of its Council on Councils’ Working Group findings that nearly all federally owned chimpanzees should be retired and sent to federal sanctuary.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R.1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R.366), which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R.1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture, and was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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 (Oct. 15, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Tom Marino, R-Pa., for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and effectiveness on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District to support Rep. Marino in November’s general election.

“Tom Marino led the fight to strengthen our nation’s laws against cruel and barbaric animal fighting, and to punish the cast of characters whose admission fees and gambling wagers allow these sick spectacles to thrive,” said Michael Markarian, president of the HSLF. “He is standing up for the values of kindness and compassion, and cracking down on cruelty and crime in our communities.”

Among his efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Marino:

• Was the prime sponsor of the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366), which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 2856) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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 (Oct. 9, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., for re-election to the U.S House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Florida's 16th Congressional District to support Rep. Buchanan in November’s general election.

“Representative Buchanan is at the forefront of important efforts to protect pets and wildlife from cruelty and abuse, and he is working to promote the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in Florida’s 16th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Vern Buchanan for Congress.”

Among his other efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Buchanan:

• Sponsored a resolution (H. Res. 285) urging the United States to ban and prevent the import of shark fins from sharks caught through the brutal practice of “finning”—in which sharks have their fins cut off at sea, often while still alive, and suffer and die just for a bowl of soup.
• Urged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prohibit the trade in deadly large constrictor snakes, including pythons, anacondas and boa constrictors, which threaten public safety, pose a risk of becoming invasive species, and destroy Florida’s native wildlife and natural resources.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 2856) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R. 1731) to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366) which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture. The amendment was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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 (Oct. 9, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif., for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing his support and advocacy of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in California's 9th Congressional District to support Rep. McNerney in November’s general election.

“Rep. McNerney has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and he is working to promote the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in California’s 9th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Jerry McNerney for Congress.”

Among his other efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. McNerney:

• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 2856) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R. 1731) to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366) which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture, and was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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 (Oct. 8, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing her support for animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in New Hampshire‘s 2nd Congressional District to support Rep. Kuster in November’s general election.

“Rep. Kuster has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and she is working to promote the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in New Hampshire’s 2nd District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Ann Kuster for Congress.”

Among her efforts during the 113th Congress, Rep. Kuster:

• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 2856) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the sale or transport of equines and equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for human consumption.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R. 1731) to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366) making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight, and voted for similar legislation in the House Agriculture Committee which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act (H.R. 847) to protect dogs and crack down on abusive puppy mills in the United States by regulating online puppy sellers under the federal Animal Welfare Act.
• Co-sponsored the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act (H.R. 1998) to prohibit the private possession and breeding of lions, tigers and other dangerous big cats at roadside zoos and in the exotic pet trade.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture, and was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@hslf.org

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