WASHINGTON (Sept. 24, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Citing her support of animal protection legislation, the HSLF urges Louisiana voters to support Sen. Landrieu in November’s general election.

“Most people love animals, but Senator Landrieu fights for them in the U.S. Senate like few others do,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Though she’s been a strong advocate on a wide range of anti-cruelty issues, she’s been the leader to prevent the re-establishing of horse slaughter plants in the United States.  She knows that Americans love horses, and they don’t want them randomly collected, and inhumanely transported and slaughtered, and sent to foreign markets for human consumption.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Sen. Landrieu three times achieved a perfect score of 100 for votes in favor of animal welfare measures before the U.S. Senate. Sen. Landrieu was also awarded the HSLF’s Legislator of the Year Award in 2013, as well as The Humane Society of the United States’ 2011 Humane Horsewoman of the Year award.

Among her other efforts, in the 113th Congress, Sen. Landrieu:

• Is the prime sponsor of the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (S. 541) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• 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 Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (S. 820) 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 (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-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (S. 1463) 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.
• Sponsored a successful Agriculture Appropriations amendment to bar USDA expenditures on horse slaughter inspection to prevent any efforts to spend tax dollars allowing the resumption of horse slaughter for human consumption on U.S. soil. 
• 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.
• 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.
• Supported efforts to assist in the permanent placement of government-owned chimpanzees retired from research laboratories to the national chimpanzee sanctuary system at Louisiana-based Chimp Haven, and to give the National Institutes of Health the much-needed flexibility within its budget to continue funding these less-costly sanctuaries. Facilities such as Chimp Haven provide better care to chimps and save taxpayer 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 (Sept. 15, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District to support Rep. Meehan in November’s general election.

“Patrick Meehan has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and he has especially stood up for humane treatment of our nation’s horses,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 7th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Patrick Meehan for Congress.”

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

• Is the prime sponsor of the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• 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 Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013, (H.R. 2012) to prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the horseracing industry.
• 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 (Sept. 19, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing her support and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District to support Rep. Shea-Porter in November’s general election.

“Carol Shea-Porter 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 the 1st District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Carol Shea-Porter 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. Shea-Porter achieved a perfect score of 100 six times for votes in favor of animal welfare measures before the House.

Among her efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Shea-Porter:

• 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 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 Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• 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.
• 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. 15, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing her leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Arizona’s 9^th Congressional District to support Rep. Sinema in November’s general election.

“Kyrsten Sinema has been a leading champion 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 the 9^th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Kyrsten Sinema 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. Sinema achieved a perfect score of 100 on the 113^th Congress’ Midterm Report for votes in favor of animal welfare measures before the House.

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

• 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 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 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 (Sept. 11, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber for re-election. Citing his support of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Oregon to support Kitzhaber in November’s general election.

“During his time as governor, John Kitzhaber has been a stalwart advocate for animal welfare, and Oregon has become one of the top five states in the nation on animal protection policy,” said Wayne Pacelle, executive vice president of the HSLF.  “We urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to re-elect Governor Kitzhaber.”

While serving as Oregon’s Governor, Kitzhaber has:

• Signed a bill into law to restricting the chaining and tethering of dogs throughout the state. He invited a group of schoolchildren to the bill signing ceremony, using it as an opportunity to teach children that sometimes laws have to be passed to ensure people are kind to animals. (HB 2783B)
• Signed a bill into law which prohibits people from possessing, selling, trading or distributing shark fins. The Governor’s office took the added step of filing a written statement of opposition when the Obama Administration threatened to pass a regulation which would have nullified all state laws dealing with shark fins. (HB 2838)
• Signed a bill protecting human and animal survivors  of domestic violence by adding companion, service and therapy animals to the Family Abuse Prevention Act. (SB 616)
• Signed legislation to ban a cruel rodeo event called horse tripping, which involves roping the front legs of a galloping horse, causing it to crash violently into the ground. An avid horse lover, Gov. Kitzhaber took action to ensure the law was enforced after some rodeo organizers and a county sheriff indicated that they might not follow the law. (SB 835)
• Repeatedly registered his opposition to bills that would repeal Measure 18, a law passed by Oregon voters in 1994 to ban the use of dogs to hunt bears and cougars and bait to hunt bears. He has stated that the wishes of the voters on this matter should be respected and upheld.

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. 9, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine., for reelection to the U.S. Senate. Citing her support of animal protection legislation, the HSLF urges Maine voters to support Sen. Collins in November’s general election.

“Senator Collins has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and she’s respected on both sides of the aisle,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Maine is the first state to adopt an anti-cruelty statute, and she’s built on this strong tradition by working at the federal level to drive the enactment of policies to combat animal fighting and horse slaughter and to help get chimpanzees out of costly and ineffective invasive experiments.”

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

Among her other efforts, in the 113th Congress Senator Collins:

• 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;
• Was an original co-sponsor of the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (S.820), to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens;
• Was an original co-sponsor of the CHIMP Act Amendments of 2013 (S. 1561), to give the National Institutes of Health the much-needed flexibility within its budget to retire government-owned chimpanzees from laboratories to less-costly sanctuaries, providing better care to chimps and saving tax dollars;
• 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-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (S.541), to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas;
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (S. 1463), 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 Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act (S. 395), 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-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. 9, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District to support Rep. Schrader in November’s general election.

“Kurt Schrader has been a leading champion of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and he is working to promote balanced policies that help animals, businesses, and public health,” said Michael Markarian, president of the HSLF. “Voters in the 5th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Kurt Schrader for Congress.”

In this 113th Congress, where Schrader is one of only two veterinarians, he:

• Is the lead sponsor of the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments, H.R. 1731, representing an agreement between animal welfare groups and the egg industry to improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens and provide stability for egg farmers and consumers;
• Was the lead sponsor of the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act, H.R. 1528, to allow veterinarians to transport and dispense important drugs for veterinary care in remote situations such as farms, spay and neuter clinics, and disaster response, which passed the House and Senate and was signed into law by the President in August;  
• 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;
• 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.
• Led the effort in the House Agriculture Committee and 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 (Sept. 9, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Jared Huffman, 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 2nd Congressional District to support Rep. Huffman in November’s general election.

“Jared Huffman has been a champion of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and he’s someone the people of the 2nd District can count on to fight for values they care about,” said Wayne Pacelle, executive vice president of the HSLF. “I hope voters will support his sensible but determined approach to help animals and the remarkable ecological and marine environments in which animals live.”

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

• Is an original co-sponsor 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;
• Sponsored a successful amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill, H. Amdt. 855, that was approved by the House and will require U.S. Department of Agriculture to finalize a rule to update animal welfare regulations for orcas in captivity;
• Worked with the  Obama Administration and 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;
• 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;
• Supported 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.
• Co-signed a group letter sent to the House Agricultural Committee, voicing opposition to the harmful King Amendment provisions that sought to negate most state and local laws regarding animal welfare.
• 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. 9, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, for election to the U.S. Senate. Citing his support of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges Iowa voters to support Braley in November’s general election.

“Bruce Braley has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and promoted the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “A vote to send Bruce Braley to the Senate is a vote for the humane treatment of all animals.”

In the 113th Congress, Rep. Braley:

• 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 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.
• 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.

Braley’s opponent, state Sen. Joni Ernst, has opposed a number of modest animal welfare policies. During her time in the state legislature, Ernst:

• Voted in 2012 against a bill to help crack down on inhumane puppy mills (S.F. 2301) by holding them responsible for costs to care for dogs and puppies in the event of a seizure by law enforcement. 
• Voted in 2012 for the Iowa “ag-gag” bill (H.F.589) which seeks to punish journalists and whistleblowers who expose inhumane and unsafe practices on industrial factory farms.
• Voted in 2011 to allow the target shooting of mourning doves (S.F.464), which had been a protected songbird for a century in Iowa.

Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat has been held for 30 years by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin, who has always been one of the leading advocates for animal protection in Congress and was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the HSLF.

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.