WASHINGTON (September 12, 2024) – Today, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading animal protection organization, announced its endorsement of U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes for re-election to Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District.
“Jahana Hayes is working to ensure that Americans’ love of animals is in congressional policy discussions,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “She advocates for the protection of our equines, wildlife, companion animals and more. We urge Connecticut’s 5th District voters to re-elect this humane ally to the U.S. House.”
In the 118th Congress, Rep. Hayes has cosponsored key animal protection bills such as 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., and 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 perpetual violators.
Rep. Hayes earned a perfect score of 100+ on HSLF’s 2023 Humane Scorecard. She has also opposed the inclusion of the dangerous and overreaching “Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression” (EATS) Act (H.R. 4417 and S. 2019), or anything like it, in the next Farm Bill by signing onto a letter sent to the House Agriculture Committee leadership.
Additional pro-animal actions taken by Rep. Hayes in the 118th Congress include:
- Cosponsored the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 1624) to address serious gaps in welfare standards for tens of thousands of breeding dogs and puppies at large-scale breeding operations licensed by the USDA.
- Cosponsored 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.
- Cosponsored 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.
- Cosponsored Goldie’s Act (H.R. 1788) and the Horse Transportation Safety Act (H.R. 4241).
- Voted against an amendment to the FY 2024 Interior-Environment appropriations bill that aims to undermine the Endangered Species Act (ESA), by prohibiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from implementing commonsense, science-backed regulations to prevent species from reaching endangered status.
- Requested provisions in the fiscal year 2024 funding bill for enforcement of the AWA, HPA, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, and for programs to promote alternatives to animal testing, to provide shelter for domestic violence survivors with pets, to address the needs of animals at zoos and other AWA-regulated facilities in disasters, and to encourage veterinarians to locate in underserved areas.
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.
