WASHINGTON (Feb. 23, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., for California’s newly created 30th Congressional District. While both Berman and Rep. Brad Sherman have outstanding records on animal welfare issues, HSLF gave the nod to Berman because of his exceptional ability to move legislation and work with other leaders in Congress.
“Howard Berman has a legendary ability to move legislation and to win support from his colleagues,” said Wayne Pacelle, executive vice president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has a strong commitment to animal welfare, and he knows how to use his seniority and legislative know-how to get results.”
Berman has been a leading champion for animal protection in Congress, and has helped enact a number of new federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among his efforts, Berman has:
- Consistently scored 100 or 100+ on the Humane Scorecard.
- Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, and provided leadership in reaching out to other members and urging their support and co-sponsorship of the bill to ban barren battery cages nationwide for 280 million egg-laying hens.
- Co-sponsored the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which passed in 2010 and bans commerce in videos showing the intentional torture of puppies, kittens and other live animals for the sexual titillation of viewers. (P.L. 111-294)
- Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to establish misdemeanor penalties for knowingly attending an organized dogfight or cockfight, and felony penalties for taking a minor to such a fight.
- Co-sponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 2966, to prohibit the long-distance transport (including export) of horses for slaughter for human consumption in other countries where horse meat is eaten.
- Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, H.R. 835, to crack down on abusive puppy mills in the United States, where breeding dogs are often stacked in wire cages for years to produce litter after litter, without exercise, veterinary care, socialization or human companionship.
- Co-sponsored the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, H.R. 1513, to phase out the use of chimpanzees in invasive research, retire the approximately 500 federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuary, and save tens of millions of tax dollars from warehousing chimps in federally-funded laboratories.
- When he previously served in the California State Legislature, he championed legislation to crack down on puppy mills.
Rep. Sherman also has had nearly an unblemished record on animal protection issues, and HSLF is grateful to him for his support. Added Pacelle, “Endorsing Berman over Sherman was a tough decision, but on the issue of influence and leadership, there are few people in Congress like Howard Berman.”
Media contact: Pepper Van Tassell, (240) 751-0232, pvantassell@hslf.org
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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.
