WASHINGTON (September 30, 2024) – Today, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading animal protection organization, announced its endorsement of U.S. Representative Paul Tonko for re-election to New York’s 20th Congressional District.
“Paul Tonko’s commitment to protecting our nation’s animals is clear,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He is on the front lines of our fight to end new cosmetics testing on animals and led efforts to better protect equines. We urge New Yorkers in the 20th District to re-elect this humane champion to Congress.”
Rep. Tonko earned a perfect score of 100+ on HSLF’s 2023 Humane Scorecard. He is a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, which works to promote animal protection initiatives to other members of Congress.
Rep. Tonko 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. Moreover, he actively 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. Rep. Tonko demonstrated his commitment to keeping the EATS Act out of the Farm Bill by signing onto a letter sent to the House Agriculture Committee leadership.
Rep. Tonko has taken the following additional pro-animal actions in the 118th Congress:
- 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 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 the cruel practice of soring by making the practice illegal and strengthening penalties.
- Cosponsored Goldie’s Act (H.R. 1788), the Pets Belong with Families Act (H.R. 3989), and the Horse Transportation Safety Act (H.R. 4241).
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.
