WASHINGTON (September 30, 2024) – Today, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading animal protection political organization, announced its endorsement of U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright for re-election to Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District.
“Matt Cartwright is a true friend of our nation’s animals and the people who love them,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has joined many of our biggest fights to protect sharks as the ocean’s apex predators, companion animals, equines, and wildlife. We urge voters in Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District to re-elect this humane champion in November.”
In the 118th Congress, Rep. Cartwright earned a score of 100% on HSLF’s 2023 Humane Scorecard. He sponsored language implementing the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act and enforcing provisions of the Animal Welfare Act in the FY24 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act.
Rep. Cartwright is a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. Moreover, he 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. Cartwright 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 perpetual violators.
- Cosponsored 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.
- 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), the Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2023 (H.R. 4241), and the Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2023 (H.R. 208).
- 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.
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.
