Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act – H.R.1477

Sponsor: Rep. David Joyce (R-OH)

Co-Sponsors: Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO), Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ),

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)

Co-Sponsors: House 32
Committee: House Judiciary Committee

Summary: Establishes an Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the U.S. Department of Justice to coordinate enforcement of animal cruelty laws.

Why We are Working to Oppose: Federalizes animal cruelty enforcement, which is best handled by states. Opens the door for federal overreach and prioritizes ideologically driven agendas that threaten lawful animal-related businesses.

Better Care for Animals Act – H.R.3112 / S.1538

Sponsors: Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) / Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

Co-Sponsors: House 83 – Senate 6
Committees: House Judiciary Committee / Senate Judiciary Committee

Summary: Creates a new federal felony for causing “serious harm” to an animal under federal law using vague, undefined language.

Why We are Working to Oppose: The ambiguous language could be weaponized against compliant farmers, ranchers, breeders, and exhibitors based on activist claims, undermining lawful animal care practices.

 

Goldie’s Act – H.R.349

Sponsor: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL)

Co-Sponsors: House 66
Committee: House Agriculture Committee

Summary: Mandates more frequent and aggressive USDA inspections, stricter penalties, and animal confiscations under vague care standards.

Why We are Working to Oppose: Transforms USDA Animal Care from an education/compliance model to punitive enforcement. Empowers activist complaints and threatens licensees without due process. Would change AWA enforcement so that inspectors must document all violations and remove the current distinction between “direct” (animal welfare) and “indirect” (paperwork/recordkeeping) violations—effectively treating paperwork issues as direct violations under the AWA.

 

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

Sponsor: Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)

Co-Sponsors: House 198
Committee: House Energy and Commerce Committee

Summary: Bans action devices, pads, and weighted shoes; extends regulation beyond Tennessee Walking Horses; imposes strict penalties.

Why We are Working to Oppose: This legislation is based on animal rights ideology, not science. H.R.1684 threatens legitimate equine disciplines and related industries like farriers, feed supply, and tourism. Presumes guilt before innocence.

Thank you for taking ACTION!!