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On the Issues: Animals Protection

As a member of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus, I am very concerned about animal welfare and support efforts to better their conditions. 

Endangered species are a valuable part of our natural world, and their extinction may have detrimental effects on our ecosystem beyond what we currently understand.  For these reasons, I am a cosponsor of the Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2007 (H.R. 1422), which will help to protect the natural habitats of endangered or threatened species.  In addition, I am cosponsoring the Polar Bear Protection Act of 2007 (H.R. 2327).

Another matter of great concern to me is the barbaric practice of animal fighting.  Those who mistreat and abuse animals for such a purpose allow them to suffer horribly while being injured or killed.  I have cosponsored H.R. 3219, which will toughen penalties for those involved in dog fights, as well as the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007 (H.R. 137), which became law on May 5, 2007.

Our nation's pets provide warmth and enjoyment for many pet owners young and old.  I have supported many bills that address the need to provide for the welfare of these loyal creatures.  For example, I have proudly added my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 2193, which prohibits a person from using a live animal to demonstrate a medical device or product.

It is unfathomable that widespread horse slaughter which continues despite general recognition that the current method of slaughter is inhumane.  I have proudly cosponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act 2007 (H.R. 503), which prohibits the transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of equines to be slaughtered for human consumption. 

I also believe it is important to protect wildlife from the perils of hunting practices.  For this reason, I am a cosponsor of the Protect America's Wildlife Act (H.R. 3663), which establishes prohibitions on shooting wildlife from aircraft.  I am also cosponsoring the Inhumane Trapping Prevention Act (H.R. 1691) as well as the Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act (H.R. 2711), which will bar the barbaric and unsportsmanlike practice of using a computer to control a remotely located firearm to kill a live animal. 

Please be assured that I will continue to support these and other pieces of legislation as I advocate for the safety and welfare of our nation’s animals.