By Brad Pyle
With the Democratic election field for 2020 in play, we thought it timely to examine the animal protection records of candidates for president. This two-part series will highlight the pro-animal commitments of the candidates. Following the order of the Democratic Party’s second presidential debate, here’s what we know:
Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders has been a steady and consistent supporter of animal protection during his time in Congress.
In the current session, Sanders is cosponsoring legislation to create a felony penalty for malicious animal cruelty and crack down on horse soring abuses.
In previous sessions, Sanders cosponsored bills to curtail abusive puppy mills and animal fighting, to restrict the private trade in big cats and primates as exotic pets, and to ban barren battery cages for egg-laying hens. He supported strong enforcement of federal animal welfare laws, and opposed the weakening of the Endangered Species Act.
He helped to lead the effort in the 111th and 112th Congresses to end the use of chimpanzees in invasive research and retire them to sanctuaries.
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren has continually supported animal protection legislation while in the U.S. Senate.
Currently, Warren is cosponsoring legislation to create a felony penalty for malicious animal cruelty and crack down on horse soring abuses.
In previous sessions, Warren has introduced legislation to strengthen oversight of antibiotic use in animals. She also co-filed an amendment to the Farm Bill to correct abuses by commodity checkoff programs such as those for beef, pork, and eggs.
Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg’s accelerated rise to the forefront of American politics has presented him with little opportunity to affect animal protection policy.
During his 2018 State of the City address, Buttigieg highlighted South Bend’s Animal Care & Control successes in doubling the number of pet adoptions and reducing the euthanasia rate for cats and dogs.
Pete has two rescue dogs, Truman and Buddy, who appear frequently on social media.
Beto O’Rourke
Beto O’Rourke supported critical animal protection legislation while in Congress, and was a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus.
O’Rourke supported the full range of animal protection legislation through his votes and cosponsorships. This includes voting to protect wildlife in Alaska, crack down on animal fighting, and against stripping ESA protections from gray wolves in the Lower 48 states.
Amy Klobuchar
In the current session, Senator Amy Klobuchar is cosponsoring legislation to crack down on horse soring abuses.
In the past, she cosponsored legislation which would require furs to be labeled, enabling consumers to make informed decisions. She also voted against legislation which allowed egregiously cruel and unsporting hunting methods on more than 76 million acres of National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska.
Tim Ryan
Congressman Tim Ryan has received scores ranging from 25 to 100 on the Humane Scorecard.
In the current session, Ryan is cosponsoring legislation to crack down on malicious animal cruelty, eliminate the shark fin trade, and prevent the export of American horses for slaughter overseas. This year he voted for the PAST Act, which would end horse soring abuses.
Previously, he voted to establish a recovery program for the Southern sea otter and to expand funding for marine turtle conservation.
John Delaney
Former Congressman John Delaney consistently received top marks on the Humane Scorecard, receiving an impressive score of “100” over each of his last 5 years in office.
While in the U.S. House, Delaney voted to crack down on animal fighting in the U.S. territories, and against stripping ESA protections from gray wolves in the Lower 48 states. During his last term in office, he cosponsored legislation to end horse soring abuses, crack down on malicious animal cruelty, and end the domestic shark fin trade.
Delaney was a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus.
Marianne Williamson
Marianne Williamson is a member of the Humane Society of the United States’ Faith Advisory Council. In this capacity, she plays a leading role in reminding people to be responsible stewards and caretakers of God’s creation. She also serves as an ambassador for the HSUS in her community.
Williamson’s presidential platform contains promising animal protection language, stating, “As custodians of this planet, we are intended to care for the animals that share the land with us.”
Steve Bullock
Few animal protection bills make it to the desk of Steve Bullock, Montana’s governor since 2013. Montana currently ranks 42nd in the Humane Society of the United States’ Humane State ranking.
In 2015, Bullock vetoed a bill which would have restricted Montana’s ability to relocate bison within the state.
During a campaign stop in Iowa, Bullock said large animal confinements known as CAFOs are a state issue, not a federal one, not a promising animal welfare position for someone seeking the presidency.
Closing Remarks
Please remember to update your voter registration, and take other steps to ensure that your voice is heard in our democracy. Tomorrow’s blog will cover the candidates featured in night two of the second presidential debate.
Brad Pyle is political director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund.
