119th Congress: Animal-Related Legislation Overview

PET INDUSTRY 

Better CARE for Animals Act — H.R.5041 / S.2555

Committees: House Agriculture, Senate Agriculture
Proposes new criminal penalties and licensing requirements for violators of the Animal Welfare Act. 

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

Goldie's Act (H.R.349) — Sponsor: Malliotakis, Nicole [Rep.-R-NY-11]

Committees: House – Agriculture Latest Action: House - 01/13/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. Redefines “violations” of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Removes distinctions between minor non-compliance and animal care violations. Allows for immediate seizure of euthanasia of animals suffering from “psychological harm” - a term that is undefined. Mandates the posting of images of unadjudicated violations on a public accessible database. Authorizes citizens suits to enforce the AWA allowing immediate standing in a court of law.

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

 Puppy Protection Act — H.R.1624 / S.5072

Committees: House Agriculture, Senate Agriculture
Amends AWA to mandate arbitrary and onerous standards for breeders, pushed by animal rights groups. 

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

Amendments to Farm Bill – Local Bans on Pet Stores

Push from HSUS to allow municipalities to ban sales of pets from licensed breeders through amendments to the Farm Bill. 

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

EQUINE

Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act

No bill number listed
Seeks a federal ban on the slaughter of horses for human consumption and prohibits their export into Canada and Mexico for slaughter. 

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

 PAST Act (Prevent All Soring Tactics Act) — H.R.1684

Sponsor: Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Committee: House Energy and Commerce
Deceptive legislation that claims to increase enforcement against the practice of soring in Tennessee Walking Horses and other gaited breeds. Supported by animal rights groups; opposed by equine professionals due to previous overreach by USDA.  

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

EXOTIC & WILDLIFE 

Captive Primate Safety Act – H.R. 8164 / S. 4206

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

Travel/Tourism Without Trophy Hunting

No bill number listed
Push by animal rights groups to end U.S.-based tourism businesses that promote or book trophy hunting trips abroad. Harmful language that bans importation of “parts and pieces” which includes semen. 

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES 

End Animal Exhibiting 

No bill number listed
Seeks to ban public contact with most wild or exotic animals under the guise of public safety and animal welfare. Animal rights driven bill to end animal exhibition, circus, and more. 

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

Marine Life in Aquariums

No bill number listed
Legislation under consideration to ban the wild capture and display of all marine mammals and restrict breeding in accredited facilities. 

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

ANIMAL AGRICULTURE

Farm Bill – Overturning Proposition 12 (EATS Act)

Push to include provisions in the Farm Bill that would overturn California's Proposition 12 and prevent states from imposing production standards on producers in other states. 

The Cavalry Group SUPPORTS

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 — S.222

Sponsor: Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS)
Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Amends the National School Lunch Act to allow flavored and unflavored whole milk in schools, excluding milk fat from saturated fat limits.

The Cavalry Group SUPPORTS

Dairy Farm Resiliency Act

Sponsors: Reps. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Joe Courtney (D-CT)
Updates Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program to reflect modern production levels and support small-to-medium farms. 

The Cavalry Group SUPPORTS

REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT & USDA

Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act - H.R.3859 

Sponsor: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL)

This bill aims to strengthen the USDA's oversight and enforcement of animal welfare requirements by revising the licensing process for animal dealers and exhibitors. 

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act (H.R. 1477): 

Sponsor: Rep. David Joyce (R-OH) This bill establishes an Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division. 

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES

Better CARE for Animals Act — H.R.5041 / S.2555

(Also listed under Pet Industry)
Creates additional criminal penalties and USDA oversight mechanisms. 

The Cavalry Group OPPOSES