September 3, 2014

The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Citing his support of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges Illinois voters to support Sen. Durbin in November’s general election.

“Majority Whip Durbin 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 return Dick Durbin to the Senate is a vote for the humane treatment of all animals.”

Among his other efforts, in the 113^th Congress Sen. Durbin:

Was the lead sponsor of 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, and successfully worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to adopt this reform; 

• 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 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 Act (S.541) 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.

September 3, 2014

The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing his support of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District to vote for Rep. Barletta in November’s general election.

“Congressman Barletta has been a strong supporter of animal welfare laws,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “A vote to return Lou Barletta as a member of Congress is a vote for the humane treatment of all animals.”

In the current 113th Congress, Rep. Barletta:

• Sponsored a resolution (H.Res. 433) calling for an end to the gassing of stray dogs and cats in animal shelters.
• 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) 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.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.

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.

September 3, 2014

The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, 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 8th Congressional District to support Rep. Fitzpatrick in November’s general election.

“Mike Fitzpatrick 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 Michael Markarian, president of the HSLF. “Voters in the 8th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Mike Fitzpatrick 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; three times Rep. Fitzpatrick 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. Fitzpatrick:

• Is the lead 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 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.
• Is a prime 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.
• 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 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.

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.

September 2, 2014

The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Citing Merkley's strong support of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges Oregon voters to support Sen. Merkley in November’s general election.

“Senator Merkley 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 return Jeff Merkley to the Senate is a vote for the humane treatment of all animals.”

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

• 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.
• Cosigned 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.

Also, in 2010, Sen. Merkley was a lead sponsor and helped to successfully pass legislation to ban commerce in videos showing the intentional torture of puppies, kittens and other live animals for the sexual titillation of viewers.

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.

September 2, 2014

The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Citing Booker's support of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges New Jersey voters to re-elect Sen. Booker in November’s general election.

“Senator Booker has been a strong champion of animal protection and an effective leader in cracking down on cruelty and abuse,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “He has consistently stood up for the values of kindness and compassion, and we urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to return Cory Booker to the Senate.”

In the current 113th Congress, Sen. Booker:

• 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 Act (S.541) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Opposed the so-called “Sportsmen’s Act” (S. 2363), which would have weakened protections for federal lands and wilderness areas, encouraged the trophy hunting of threatened polar bears, and blocked restrictions on toxic lead ammunition which poisons animals and the environment. 

In addition to his work in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Booker has also:

• Received The Humane Society of the United States’ 2011 Humane Public Servant award for his animal protection work as Mayor of Newark.
• Led efforts to build a state-of-the-art animal shelter in Newark, stating his hope that: “Newark will be known as a city that cares not only about its people, but its animals, too.”
• Raised awareness of animal cruelty issues through social media, including the story of Patrick, a starving, young pit bull found inside a trash bag.
• Personally rescued two dogs in Newark - one from freezing temperatures (January 2013) and one from extreme confinement (July 2013) - and publicly denounced abuse and neglect.

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.

September 2, 2014

The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing Denham's strong leadership and support of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in California’s 10th Congressional District to re-elect him in November’s general election.

“Jeff Denham is an effective lawmaker and is leading the charge on some of the most important animal protection issues in Washington,” said Wayne Pacelle, executive vice president of the HSLF. “Voters in the 10th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should return Representative Denham to the House to continue his efforts to fight cruelty and abuse.”

In the current 113th Congress, Rep. Denham:

• Is the lead sponsor of 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.
• Led the effort in the House Agriculture Committee to defeat 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.
• Is a 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.
• 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.

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.

Puppies, and the people who love them, scored a win today when the USDA finalized a rule prohibiting the importation of dogs younger than six months old from foreign puppy mills into the United States for resale. The rule also stipulates that dogs who enter the U.S. must be in good health. 

Every year thousands of weeks-old dogs are crammed into dirty, crowded plastic tubs and shipped on transcontinental flights to the U.S. Exposed to extreme temperatures and with little access to food or water, most of the dogs become ill en route. Many die. All could present a public health risk because barely weaned dogs aren’t old enough to have received their full set of vaccinations. 

Far too often, this story has an unhappy ending. Hopeful pet parents arrive at the airport to take home their newest addition to the family and are met with a sick puppy and the promise of thousands of dollars in veterinary bills. Or worse, eventual heartbreak when their new pet succumbs to her illness and dies. 

But it’s a story that changes today. And for animal advocates and humane legislators, the final rule is a victory decades in the making. We began the process in 2008, when Congress passed the Farm Bill with an HSLF-backed provision to end the importation of puppies bred in foreign puppy mills into the United States for resale. It took USDA six years to finalize the rule to implement the ban. But today we finally have a firm outcome on the issue. And with the advent of global commerce—and what we’ve seen in the form of trade with exotic animals, ivory and rhino horn, and factory farming—this ban comes just in time to prevent a massive influx of puppy mill dogs from China, eastern Europe, and Mexico.

It’s the second important move the USDA has made to protect puppies in the last 12 months. Last September the agency brought Internet puppy sellers under the federal Animal Welfare Act regulations, requiring licensing, inspection, and basic standards of care for the first time. That rule went into effect last November and will bring oversight to thousands of commercial breeders. 

We applaud the USDA and salute the members of Congress who stood up for dogs and consumers and urged the USDA to take action, including Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and David Vitter (R-LA) and Reps. Sam Farr (D-CA), Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Dina Titus (D-NV).  As we work to eliminate puppy mill cruelty across the United States, it’s a relief to know that sick puppies from foreign puppy mills will no longer be contributing to the problem. 

##

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.

(July 31, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Hawaii state Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23, for election as Lieutenant Governor. Citing his support of animal protection policies as the chair of the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, the HSLF urges voters in Hawaii to support Hee in the August 9 primary election.

“During his time in the state legislature, Senator Hee has been a strong advocate for animal welfare,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF.  “He believes in the values of kindness and compassion, and we urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to make Clayton Hee Hawaii’s next Lieutenant Governor.”

An effective and consistent leader on a wide variety of animal protection issues, Sen. Hee has sponsored or cosponsored legislation:

• prohibiting barbaric steel-jawed leghold traps and limits the use of snares and other body-crushing traps in residential areas; (SB 6)
• preventing a person convicted of felony animal cruelty from owning or possessing an animal for a minimum of five years; (SB 9)
• upgrading misdemeanor cruelty offenses involving 10 or more animals to a felony; (SB 978)
• allowing pet owners and landlords to negotiate a deposit to allow pets to reside in the premises; (SB 328)
• enhancing penalties for the intentional abuse of a law enforcement dog or horse; (SB 635)
• strengthening the anti-dogfighting statute to one of the strongest in the nation, with a felony for spectators attending dogfights; (SB 1069)
• making Hawaii the first state to prohibit the sale or possession of shark fins or fin soup; (SB 2169)
• extending protections to pets and farm animals who are often the victims in domestic violence cases involving abuse and threats of physical harm or death; (SB 2486)
• adding equines to the list of animals protected under the felony cruelty law; (SB 2895)
• making Hawaii the 43rd state to enact a felony cruelty provision for egregious acts of cruelty. (SB 1165)

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.

(July 23, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation's leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing his strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District to support Rep. LoBiondo in November's general election.

"Congressman LoBiondo has been a strong supporter of laws to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and he is standing up for the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures," said Sara Amundson, executive director of HSLF. "A vote to return Frank LoBiondo to Congress is a vote for the humane treatment of all animals."

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; three times Rep. LoBiondo 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. LoBiondo:

• Was an original sponsor of 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 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;
• 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.

(May 29, 2014) — The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Thad Cochran for reelection to the U.S. Senate. Citing his leadership and support of mainstream animal welfare policies, HSLF urges Mississippi voters to support Cochran in the June 3 primary election.

“In his leadership positions on the key committees, Senator Cochran has helped to strengthen the nation’s animal welfare laws and make sure they are properly enforced,” said HSLF President Michael Markarian. “We urge Mississippi voters to elect Cochran to a seventh term.”

• As the Ranking Member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Cochran helped to pass legislation in the 2014 Farm Bill strengthening the federal animal fighting law, making it a crime to attend or bring a child to an animal fight. He also voted in favor of a similar amendment on the Senate floor in 2012.
• When he was the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Cochran supported funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and the federal animal fighting law, as well as programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural areas and in the USDA through student loan repayment.
• Cochran also helped to include committee report language in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill directing USDA to study Controlled Atmosphere Stunning, in which a mixture of gasses can be used to render poultry unconscious before slaughter. This technology is considered more humane than the method that requires workers to shackle conscious birds by a leg and hang them upside down to be dunked in electrified water.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, 202-276-2347, 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.