WASHINGTON (August 13, 2024)—Today, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading animal protection organization, announced its endorsement of U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan for re-election to Florida’s 16th Congressional District.
"Vern Buchanan is a stalwart champion of critical animal protection policies,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He consistently stands up for our nation’s equines, companion animals, and animals used in research laboratories, all the while building a coalition of his colleagues to drive this much-needed change. We urge Floridians to re-elect this humane champion.”
In the 118th Congress, Rep. Buchanan has earned an impressive score of 100% on HSLF’s 2023 Humane Scorecard. He serves as co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, which works to promote animal protection initiatives to other members of Congress.
Rep. Buchanan sponsored the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 5399) to phase out testing of cosmetics on live animals and sales of animal-tested cosmetics in the U.S. He sponsored the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R. 3475) to prohibit the reopening of horse slaughter plants in the U.S. and the export of American horses to slaughter for human consumption. And he sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 3090) to crack down on “soring,” in which trainers deliberately inflict severe pain on the hooves and legs of Tennessee walking horses.
Additional pro-animal actions taken by Rep. Buchanan in the 118th Congress include:
- Cosponsored the Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act (H.R. 5041) to give the U.S. Department of Justice the tools it needs to strengthen enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and help deter violations.
- Cosponsored the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 1624) to update federal standards of care for dog breeders.
- Sponsored the AVERT Future Violence Act (H.R. 7396).
- Sponsored H.Con.Res.59, “Urging all countries to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade and to enforce existing laws against such trade.”
- Led a letter to the House Agriculture Committee advocating the inclusion of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R. 3475) in the Farm Bill.
- Introduced FY 2024 Interior Amendment 209 to increase funding for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program.
Media Contact:
Emily Ehrhorn | eehrhorn@hslf.org
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.
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.
