WASHINGTON (Oct. 8, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Citing his strong leadership on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges New Mexico voters to support Sen. Udall in November’s general election.

“Tom Udall has been a remarkable leader on legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, helping to get chimps out of laboratories and dealing with the rampant drugging of horses on race day,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in New Mexico who care about the humane treatment of animals should vote for Tom Udall.”

Among his efforts in the 113th Congress, Sen. Udall:

• Is the lead sponsor of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013 (S. 973), to prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the horseracing industry.
• Co-sponsored the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S. 231), which reauthorized a “Tiger Stamp” program to provide funding for the conservation of endangered species.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (S. 1406), 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 Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (S. 541), to protect horses and consumers by prohibiting the transport and export of U.S. horses to slaughter for human consumption, and worked to keep horse slaughter plants from opening in New Mexico.
• Led the effort to get the National Institutes of Health to commission an expert panel to look at the use of chimps in invasive experiments. Co-sponsored the Great Ape and Cost Savings Protection Act (S. 810) in the 112th Congress, to phase out the use of chimpanzees in laboratory experiments and retire them to sanctuaries, which provide better care to chimps and save tax dollars.

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

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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. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W. Va., for election to the U.S. Senate. Citing her support for animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in West Virginia to support Rep. Capito in November’s general election.

“Representative Capito 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 West Virginia who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Shelley Moore Capito for U.S. Senate.”

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

• 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 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 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.

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

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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 statewide endorsement slate of candidates for election to the California State Assembly, State Senate and executive offices. Citing their support for animal protection policies, the HSLF urges California voters to support these candidates in November’s general election.

“California is leading the nation in animal protection policies, and it’s because humane lawmakers stand up for the values of protecting animals from cruelty and abuse,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “We urge voters across the Golden State to support these candidates committed to passing and enacting animal welfare legislation and upholding these laws.”

To see the complete list of California candidates the HSLF is supporting, including those in congressional races, please view the 2014 Animal Protection Voter’s Guide here.

Governor

Jerry Brown (D)

Lt. Governor

Gavin Newsom (D)

Attorney General

Kamala Harris (D)

 
State Senate

California 6th State Senate District: Roger Dickinson (D)*
California 6th State Senate District: Richard Pan (D)*
California 10th State Senate District: Bob Wieckowski (D)
California 18th State Senate District: Bob Hertzberg (D)
California 22nd State Senate District: Ed Hernandez (D)
California 24th State Senate District: Kevin De Leon (D)
California 30th State Senate District: Holly J. Mitchell (D)
California 32nd State Senate District  Tony Mendoza (D)
California 34th State Senate District: Jose Solorio (D)
California 40th State Senate District: Ben Hueso (D)

State Assembly

California 7th State Assembly District: Kevin McCarty (D)*
California 7th State Assembly District: Steve Cohn (D)*
California 10th State Assembly District: Marc Levine (D)
California 17th State Assembly District: David Chiu (D)
California 18th State Assembly District: Rob Bonta (D)
California 19th State Assembly District: Phil Ting (D)
California 20th State Assembly District: Bill Quirk (D)
California 22nd State Assembly District: Kevin Mullin (D)
California 24th State Assembly District: Richard S. Gordon (D)
California 27th State Assembly District: Nora Campos (D)
California 28th State Assembly District: Evan Low (D)
California 29th State Assembly District: Mark Stone (D)
California 31st State Assembly District: Henry T. Perea (D)
California 36th State Assembly District: Steve Fox (D)
California 37th State Assembly District: Das Williams (D)
California 39th State Assembly District: Raul Bocanegra (D)
California 41st State Assembly District: Chris Holden (D)
California 43rd State Assembly District: Mike Gatto (D)
California 45th State Assembly District: Matt Dababneh (D)
California 46th State Assembly District: Adrin Nazarian (D)
California 47th State Assembly District: Cheryl R. Brown (D)
California 48th State Assembly District: Roger Hernandez (D)
California 49th State Assembly District: Ed Chau (D)
California 50th State Assembly District: Richard Bloom (D)
California 51st State Assembly District: Jimmy Gomez (D)
California 52nd State Assembly District: Freddie Rodriguez (D)
California 54th State Assembly District: Sebastian Ridley Thomas (D)
California 57th State Assembly District: Ian C. Calderon (D)
California 58th State Assembly District: Cristina Garcia (D)
California 59th State Assembly District: Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D)
California 61st State Assembly District: Jose Medina (D)
California 62nd State Assembly District: Autumn Burke (D)
California 63rd State Assembly District: Anthony Rendon (D)
California 65th State Assembly District: Sharon Quirk-Silva (D)
California 66th State Assembly District: Al Muratsuchi (D)
California 69th State Assembly District: Tom Daly (D)
California 77th State Assembly District: Brian Maienschein (R)
California 78th State Assembly District: Toni Atkins (D)
California 79th State Assembly District: Shirley N. Weber (D)
California 80th State Assembly District: Lorena Gonzalez  (D)

Note: An asterisk* next to the candidate’s name indicates a race where the HSLF has found both candidates in a district’s positions to be equally worthy and merits a dual endorsement; voters can be confident that a vote for either candidate would be a positive step for promoting animal welfare legislation in California.

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

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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. 1, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in California’s 52nd Congressional District to support Rep. Peters in November’s general election.

“Scott Peters has been a leading champion 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 the 52nd District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Scott Peters for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Rep. Peters achieved a perfect score of 100 House in the 113th Congress' Midterm Report.

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

• 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 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.
• 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.
• 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. 1, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong support and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in California’s 7th Congressional District to support Rep. Bera in November’s general election.

“Dr. Bera 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 the 7th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Ami Bera for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Rep. Bera received a perfect score of 100 in the Midterm Report for the 113th Congress.

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

• 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 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.
• 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.
• Co-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.
• Co-signed a group letter sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service to ensure that important state laws to protect sharks from the cruel practice of “finning” are not preempted by federal law.

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 (Sept. 30, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, including his effective action to get the “Tiger Stamp” legislation signed by the President to help rare species across the world through a self-funding mechanism, the HSLF urges voters in New York’s 11th Congressional District to support Rep. Grimm in November’s general election.

“Michael Grimm has been a leader in advancing policies to protect animals from cruelty and abuse. He just worked to get legislation passed to extend the availability of a stamp that allows private citizens to contribute to a fund to protect tigers, elephants, and other endangered animals in their native habitats,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 11th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Michael Grimm for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Rep. Grimm consistently receives high marks and twice received a perfect score of 100.

An avid dog lover, in 2011 Rep. Grimm adopted Sebastian, a Yorkshire terrier rescued from a Missouri puppy mill. Sebastian often makes the rounds on Capitol Hill with Rep. Grimm.

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

• Led the  effort in the House to pass the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S. 231). The bill reauthorized the U.S. Postal Service’s issuance of the so-called “Tiger Stamp,” which provides funding for endangered species without using taxpayer dollars. Since its inception, the Tiger Stamp has raised $2,567,000.00 for conservation.
• Sponsored the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 4148) to phase out cosmetic animal testing and the sale of cosmetics tested on animals.
• Sponsored the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (H.R. 183) to create a pilot program in which veterans suffering from post-deployment mental health conditions train service dogs, including those rescued from shelters, as a form of therapy. The dogs would then go to help veterans with disabilities.
• Co-sponsored the Pets on Trains Act (H.R. 2066) to require Amtrak to establish a pet policy allowing companion animals to travel with their owners on certain passenger trains.
• 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 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.
• 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 a resolution (H. Res. 285) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should ban and prevent the import of shark fins from sharks caught through the brutal practice of finning.
• 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 (Sept. 25, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District to support Rep. Smith in November’s general election.

“Chris Smith has been a consistent supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse. As a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, he’s worked to promote the values of kindness and compassion for all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 4th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Chris Smith for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Rep. Smith consistently scores highly and received a perfect score of 100 for votes in favor of animal welfare measures before the U.S. House in the 113th Congress’ Midterm Scorecard.

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

• Sponsored the End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act (H.R. 4847),  which would add rabies—a devastating disease for street dogs and other animals—to the list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) addressed by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
• 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 Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) 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) to close a loophole in the federal animal fighting law by making it a 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.
• Signed 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.
• Led the effort to marshal the support of his colleagues on a group letter to the Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the 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 USDA 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 (Sept. 25, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District to support Rep. Cohen in November’s general election.

“Steve Cohen has been a leading champion 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 the 9th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Steve Cohen for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Rep. Cohen nine times achieved a perfect score of 100 for votes in favor of animal welfare measures before the U.S. House.

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

• 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.
• Sponsored the Horse Transportation Safety Act (H.R. 4440) to prohibit the transportation of horses in interstate commerce in double deck trailer trucks. The use of these trailers can lead to serious injuries of horses during transport and have been involved in numerous deadly accidents.
• Sponsored the Pets on Trains Act (H.R. 2066) to require Amtrak to establish a pet policy allowing companion animals to travel with their owners on certain passenger trains.
• 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.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) 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.
• Co-leader of a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack encouraging the USDA to step up enforcement of the Horse Protection Act at this year’s Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tenn.

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 (Sept. 25, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in California’s 29th Congressional District to support Rep. Cárdenas in November’s general election.

“Tony Cárdenas 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 the 29th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Tony Cárdenas for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Rep. Cárdenas’s midterm grade for the 113th Congress was a perfect score of 100.

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

• 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 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.
• 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.
• 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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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 (Sept. 25, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Citing his support of animal protection legislation, the HSLF urges Virginia voters to support Sen. Warner in November’s general election.

“Senator Warner has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, particularly to end intentional cruelty to show horses,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “A vote to return Mark Warner to the Senate is a vote for the humane treatment of all animals.”

Sen. Warner has a record of supporting animal welfare legislation since entering the Senate in 2009. In the 113th Congress, Sen. Warner:

• Sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (S.1406) 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 (S.666) 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-signed a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack encouraging the USDA to step up enforcement of the Horse Protection Act at this year’s Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tenn.

In previous sessions of Congress:

• Voted in favor of an amendment to the FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2112) to end taxpayer subsidies to wealthy factory farms whose annual incomes exceed $1 million. Massive factory farms keep animal feed artificially cheap, jeopardize public health, the environment, and animal welfare, while also driving smaller and more humane family farms out of business.
• Voted in favor of an amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill (S.3240) to establish misdemeanor penalties for knowingly attending an organized animal fight and felony penalties for bringing a minor to such a fight.
• Co-sponsored the Truth in Fur Labeling Act (S.1076) to require species labeling on all fur products regardless of value, closing a loophole in current law.

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.