Press Release

WASHINGTON (Sept. 30, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, including his effective action to get the “Tiger Stamp” legislation signed by the President to help rare species across the world through a self-funding mechanism, the HSLF urges voters in New York’s 11th Congressional District to support Rep. Grimm in November’s general election.

“Michael Grimm has been a leader in advancing policies to protect animals from cruelty and abuse. He just worked to get legislation passed to extend the availability of a stamp that allows private citizens to contribute to a fund to protect tigers, elephants, and other endangered animals in their native habitats,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 11th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Michael Grimm for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Rep. Grimm consistently receives high marks and twice received a perfect score of 100.

An avid dog lover, in 2011 Rep. Grimm adopted Sebastian, a Yorkshire terrier rescued from a Missouri puppy mill. Sebastian often makes the rounds on Capitol Hill with Rep. Grimm.

Among his efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Grimm:

• Led the  effort in the House to pass the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S. 231). The bill reauthorized the U.S. Postal Service’s issuance of the so-called “Tiger Stamp,” which provides funding for endangered species without using taxpayer dollars. Since its inception, the Tiger Stamp has raised $2,567,000.00 for conservation.
• Sponsored the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 4148) to phase out cosmetic animal testing and the sale of cosmetics tested on animals.
• Sponsored the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (H.R. 183) to create a pilot program in which veterans suffering from post-deployment mental health conditions train service dogs, including those rescued from shelters, as a form of therapy. The dogs would then go to help veterans with disabilities.
• Co-sponsored the Pets on Trains Act (H.R. 2066) to require Amtrak to establish a pet policy allowing companion animals to travel with their owners on certain passenger trains.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R. 1731) to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366) which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 2856) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety;
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Co-sponsored a resolution (H. Res. 285) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should ban and prevent the import of shark fins from sharks caught through the brutal practice of finning.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture, and was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@hslf.org

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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.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

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.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 25, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District to support Rep. Smith in November’s general election.

“Chris Smith has been a consistent supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse. As a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, he’s worked to promote the values of kindness and compassion for all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 4th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Chris Smith for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Rep. Smith consistently scores highly and received a perfect score of 100 for votes in favor of animal welfare measures before the U.S. House in the 113th Congress’ Midterm Scorecard.

Among his efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Smith:

• Sponsored the End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act (H.R. 4847),  which would add rabies—a devastating disease for street dogs and other animals—to the list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) addressed by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the sale or transport of equines and equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for human consumption.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R. 1731) to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366) to close a loophole in the federal animal fighting law by making it a crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture, and was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Signed a group letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture urging the agency to close a loophole in federal regulations that allows downer veal calves – those too sick, injured or weak to stand on their own – to be abused and slaughtered for food.
• Led the effort to marshal the support of his colleagues on a group letter to the Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the USDA through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@hslf.org

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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.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

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.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 25, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District to support Rep. Cohen in November’s general election.

“Steve Cohen has been a leading champion of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and he is working to promote the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 9th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Steve Cohen for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Rep. Cohen nine times achieved a perfect score of 100 for votes in favor of animal welfare measures before the U.S. House.

Among his other efforts, in the 113th Congress, Rep. Cohen:

• Sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Sponsored the Horse Transportation Safety Act (H.R. 4440) to prohibit the transportation of horses in interstate commerce in double deck trailer trucks. The use of these trailers can lead to serious injuries of horses during transport and have been involved in numerous deadly accidents.
• Sponsored the Pets on Trains Act (H.R. 2066) to require Amtrak to establish a pet policy allowing companion animals to travel with their owners on certain passenger trains.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R. 1731) to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366) which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.
• Co-leader of a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack encouraging the USDA to step up enforcement of the Horse Protection Act at this year’s Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tenn.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

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.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 25, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in California’s 29th Congressional District to support Rep. Cárdenas in November’s general election.

“Tony Cárdenas has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and he is working to promote the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 29th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Tony Cárdenas for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Rep. Cárdenas’s midterm grade for the 113th Congress was a perfect score of 100.

Among his efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Cárdenas:

• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R. 1731) to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366) which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture, and was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

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.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 25, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Citing his support of animal protection legislation, the HSLF urges Virginia voters to support Sen. Warner in November’s general election.

“Senator Warner has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, particularly to end intentional cruelty to show horses,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “A vote to return Mark Warner to the Senate is a vote for the humane treatment of all animals.”

Sen. Warner has a record of supporting animal welfare legislation since entering the Senate in 2009. In the 113th Congress, Sen. Warner:

• Sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (S.1406) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (S.666) which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-signed a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack encouraging the USDA to step up enforcement of the Horse Protection Act at this year’s Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tenn.

In previous sessions of Congress:

• Voted in favor of an amendment to the FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2112) to end taxpayer subsidies to wealthy factory farms whose annual incomes exceed $1 million. Massive factory farms keep animal feed artificially cheap, jeopardize public health, the environment, and animal welfare, while also driving smaller and more humane family farms out of business.
• Voted in favor of an amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill (S.3240) to establish misdemeanor penalties for knowingly attending an organized animal fight and felony penalties for bringing a minor to such a fight.
• Co-sponsored the Truth in Fur Labeling Act (S.1076) to require species labeling on all fur products regardless of value, closing a loophole in current law.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

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.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 24, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Citing her support of animal protection legislation, the HSLF urges Louisiana voters to support Sen. Landrieu in November’s general election.

“Most people love animals, but Senator Landrieu fights for them in the U.S. Senate like few others do,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Though she’s been a strong advocate on a wide range of anti-cruelty issues, she’s been the leader to prevent the re-establishing of horse slaughter plants in the United States.  She knows that Americans love horses, and they don’t want them randomly collected, and inhumanely transported and slaughtered, and sent to foreign markets for human consumption.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues; Sen. Landrieu three times achieved a perfect score of 100 for votes in favor of animal welfare measures before the U.S. Senate. Sen. Landrieu was also awarded the HSLF’s Legislator of the Year Award in 2013, as well as The Humane Society of the United States’ 2011 Humane Horsewoman of the Year award.

Among her other efforts, in the 113th Congress, Sen. Landrieu:

• Is the prime sponsor of the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (S. 541) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (S. 1406) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (S. 820) to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (S. 666), which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-sponsored the Captive Primate Safety Act (S. 1463) to prohibit the interstate commerce in chimpanzees and other primates in the exotic pet trade, which poses a danger to animal welfare and to public health and safety.
• Sponsored a successful Agriculture Appropriations amendment to bar USDA expenditures on horse slaughter inspection to prevent any efforts to spend tax dollars allowing the resumption of horse slaughter for human consumption on U.S. soil. 
• Co-signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture, and was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.
• Supported efforts to assist in the permanent placement of government-owned chimpanzees retired from research laboratories to the national chimpanzee sanctuary system at Louisiana-based Chimp Haven, and to give the National Institutes of Health the much-needed flexibility within its budget to continue funding these less-costly sanctuaries. Facilities such as Chimp Haven provide better care to chimps and save taxpayer dollars.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@hslf.org

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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.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

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.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 15, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District to support Rep. Meehan in November’s general election.

“Patrick Meehan has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and he has especially stood up for humane treatment of our nation’s horses,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 7th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Patrick Meehan for Congress.”

Among his efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Meehan:

• Is the prime sponsor of the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366) which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-sponsored the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013, (H.R. 2012) to prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the horseracing industry.
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act (H.R. 847) to protect dogs and crack down on abusive puppy mills in the United States by regulating online puppy sellers under the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

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.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 19, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing her support and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District to support Rep. Shea-Porter in November’s general election.

“Carol Shea-Porter has been a strong supporter of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and she is working to promote the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 1st District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Carol Shea-Porter for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues. Rep. Shea-Porter achieved a perfect score of 100 six times for votes in favor of animal welfare measures before the House.

Among her efforts in the 113th Congress, Rep. Shea-Porter:

• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 1518) to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366) which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R. 1731) to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094) to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Led a group letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture urging the agency to close a loophole in federal regulations that allows downer veal calves – those too sick, injured or weak to stand on their own – to be abused and slaughtered for food.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching King amendment, which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture, and was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@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.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

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.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 15, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., for re-election to the House of Representatives. Citing her leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Arizona’s 9^th Congressional District to support Rep. Sinema in November’s general election.

“Kyrsten Sinema has been a leading champion of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse, and she is working to promote the values of kindness and compassion to all creatures,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 9^th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Kyrsten Sinema for Congress.”

The HSLF publishes an annual Humane Scorecard of Congress to give voters a snapshot of every federal legislator's record on animal protection issues. Rep. Sinema achieved a perfect score of 100 on the 113^th Congress’ Midterm Report for votes in favor of animal welfare measures before the House.

Among her efforts in the 113^th Congress, Rep. Sinema:

• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 1518, to strengthen the federal law against the “soring” of show horses—using caustic chemicals and other painful substances to injure the horses’ hooves and legs to induce a high-stepping gait.
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 366, which was included in the 2014 Farm Bill, making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments, H.R. 1731, to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens.
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act, H.R. 1094, to prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption overseas.
• Signed a group letter opposing the dangerous and overreaching “King amendment,” which threatened to nullify hundreds of state and local laws on food safety, animal welfare and agriculture, and was nixed from the 2014 Farm Bill.
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@hslf.org

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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.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

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.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 11, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber for re-election. Citing his support of animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Oregon to support Kitzhaber in November’s general election.

“During his time as governor, John Kitzhaber has been a stalwart advocate for animal welfare, and Oregon has become one of the top five states in the nation on animal protection policy,” said Wayne Pacelle, executive vice president of the HSLF.  “We urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to re-elect Governor Kitzhaber.”

While serving as Oregon’s Governor, Kitzhaber has:

• Signed a bill into law to restricting the chaining and tethering of dogs throughout the state. He invited a group of schoolchildren to the bill signing ceremony, using it as an opportunity to teach children that sometimes laws have to be passed to ensure people are kind to animals. (HB 2783B)
• Signed a bill into law which prohibits people from possessing, selling, trading or distributing shark fins. The Governor’s office took the added step of filing a written statement of opposition when the Obama Administration threatened to pass a regulation which would have nullified all state laws dealing with shark fins. (HB 2838)
• Signed a bill protecting human and animal survivors  of domestic violence by adding companion, service and therapy animals to the Family Abuse Prevention Act. (SB 616)
• Signed legislation to ban a cruel rodeo event called horse tripping, which involves roping the front legs of a galloping horse, causing it to crash violently into the ground. An avid horse lover, Gov. Kitzhaber took action to ensure the law was enforced after some rodeo organizers and a county sheriff indicated that they might not follow the law. (SB 835)
• Repeatedly registered his opposition to bills that would repeal Measure 18, a law passed by Oregon voters in 1994 to ban the use of dogs to hunt bears and cougars and bait to hunt bears. He has stated that the wishes of the voters on this matter should be respected and upheld.

Media Contact: Martin Montorfano, (202) 676-2347, mmontorfano@hslf.org

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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.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

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.