WASHINGTON (September 16, 2024) – Today, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading animal protection organization, announced its endorsement of U.S. Representative Steve Cohen for re-election to Tennessee's 9th Congressional District.
“Steve Cohen has been at the forefront of fights for our nation’s equines. He is leading legislation to end the cruel practice of soring Tennessee walking horses,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “The voters of the 9th District in Tennessee deserve an animal champion in Congress, and that is why we urge you to cast your vote for Steve Cohen this November.”
In the 118th Congress, Rep. Cohen has earned a perfect score of 100+ on HSLF’s 2023 Humane Scorecard. He is the sponsor of 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. He is a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, which works to promote animal protection initiatives to other members of Congress.
Rep. Cohen 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. Cohen 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 update federal standards of care for dog breeders.
- 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.
- Sponsored the Prohibit Wildlife Killing Contests Act (H.R. 8492) to prohibit wildlife killing contests on public lands.
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.
