Press Release

WASHINGTON (March 11, 2014) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of California State Rep. Tony Strickland, R-CA., for the open House seat in California’s 25^th  District. Citing his strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges California voters to support Tony Strickland.

“Tony Strickland, as a member of the California State Senate, was a major supporter of state laws that benefitted the lives of animals, ranging anywhere from cockfighting to companion animals,” said Michael Markarian, President of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “A vote for Strickland as a member of Congress is a vote for the humane treatment of animals.”

Among his efforts, Strickland has:

• Co-authored legislation to crack down on animal fighting (SB 425). The bill was signed into law.
• Co-authored legislation to ban the sale of animals in parking lots and along roadsides. It also increases fines and possible jail time for those convicted of felony animal neglect (SB 917). The bill was signed into law.
• Co-authored legislation to prohibit criminals convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals for a specific period of time after their conviction (AB 1117). The bill was signed into law.
• Spoke out on the floor, led his caucus and voted for legislation prohibiting the sale of shark fins, to reduce the demand for finning millions of sharks and leaving them to suffer and die at sea (AB 376). The bill was signed into law.
• Supported efforts to promote the adoption of dogs and cats from shelters, including hosting events and participating in public service announcements supporting pet adoptions.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@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.

The Farm Bill conference report released today by the House-Senate conference committee includes two major wins on animal welfare issues, and was applauded by The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund. The compromise bill includes a provision making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child under the age of 16 to an animal fighting event, and omits a controversial House-passed provision seeking to nullify state laws setting standards for agricultural production.

“The conference committee produced a Farm Bill that will fortify the federal law against organized and barbaric dogfighting and cockfighting rings, and thankfully jettisoned the dangerous and overreaching King amendment which threatened so many state and local laws on agriculture and animal welfare,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “The Farm Bill contains a dizzying number of provisions, but based on the outcome of these two critical issues on animal welfare, we will urge lawmakers to enact it.”

Media Contact: Anna West: 240-751-2669; awest@humanesociety.org

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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.

U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., has been a remarkable leader on animal welfare issues during his career. In the wake of his announcement that he would not seek re-election in November, The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund thank him for his work to protect animals. Moran is the co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, and he helped to shepherd a raft of animal protection legislation through the Congress, including just this week language in the omnibus 2014 spending bill to prevent the re-establishment of horse slaughter plants on U.S. soil.

Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, said: “Jim Moran has been a leader on animal protection issues for years, and it’s so difficult to imagine our work without him. He has been at the forefront of so many of the most pressing issues affecting animals – from banning horse slaughter to curbing dogfighting and cockfighting to cracking down on the sale of dog and cat fur in the U.S.”

Among Rep. Moran’s accomplishments on animal protection issues:

• He was the lead sponsor of the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, which was enacted in 2010, closing a loophole in federal law that previously allowed many garments trimmed with animal fur to be sold without labels and falsely advertised as “faux.”
• He was the lead sponsor of an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill prohibiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture from spending funds to inspect horse slaughter plants. Moran’s amendment was included in the omnibus spending bill released this week, and will prevent horse slaughter plants from opening in the U.S.
• As the Ranking Member of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, he has worked to improve the Bureau of Land Management’s wild horse and burro program, and promote more humane and cost-effective management through fertility control.
• He is a lead sponsor of the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, which would make it a federal crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight. This language has been included in the 2013 Farm Bill.
• He received the 2010 Humane Legislator of the Year Award from The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund. 
• He has also been centrally involved in efforts to stop bear baiting on federal lands, to crack down on indiscriminate, federally funded predator control, to eliminate horse soring, to halt the trade in powerful wild animals as exotic pets, and to stop so many other forms of cruelty.

Media Contact: Heather Sullivan, 240.477.2251; hsullivan@humanesociety.org

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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.

WASHINGTON (October 4, 2013) — The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, for U.S. Senate in the October 16 special election. Citing his strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges New Jersey voters to support Cory Booker.

“In his public service, Cory Booker has been a strong champion of animal protection, and an effective leader in cracking down on cruelty and abuse,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has consistently stood up for the values of kindness and compassion, and we urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Cory Booker.”

During his time as Mayor and in his personal life Cory Booker has:

• Received The Humane Society of the United States’ Humane Public Servant award in 2011.
• Led efforts to build a state-of-the-art animal shelter in Newark, stating his hope that: “Newark will be known as a city that cares not only about its people, but its animals, too.”
• Raised awareness of animal cruelty issues through social media, including the story of Patrick, a starving, young pit bull found inside a trash bag.
• Personally rescued two dogs in Newark - one from freezing temperatures (January 2013) and one from extreme confinement (July 2013) - and publicly denounced abuse and neglect.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@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.

Animal Advocates and State Legislators Call on Congress to Nix Provision that Tramples on States’ Rights

WASHINGTON (August 13, 2013) -- States’ bans on inhumane factory farming practices and many other state laws and rules regulating agriculture are at risk of annulment unless Congress rejects a highly destructive provision adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives in its version of the pending Farm Bill. The Senate version of the Farm Bill does not contain such a provision, and a House-Senate conference committee will now negotiate a final bill.

At a press conference to sound the alarm of these dire consequences, The Humane Society of the United States was joined by state legislators who were attending the National Conference State Legislators. NCSL previously sent a letter to House and Senate committee leaders urging them to strip King’s dangerous provision from the Farm Bill. In the bipartisan letter, New Hampshire Speaker of the House Terie Norelli, D-N.H., and Oregon State Sen. Bruce Starr, R-Ore.—the president and president-elect, respectively, of NCSL—write that the King amendment “would preempt vital state agricultural policies designed to protect the safety and well-being of our farmland, waterways, forests and most importantly, our constituents.” They add that the King amendment “would also have significant economic effects across the states” and would target “state laws that were approved by state legislatures for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of consumers and the viability of our precious farmland and forests.”

The provision in the House bill from Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, could not only wipe out numerous state animal protection laws on puppy mills, farm animal confinement, shark finning, horse slaughter, and even dog meat, but also a wide range of other laws related to food safety, environmental protection, worker safety, labeling and more. Laws such as these in Georgia are threatened by the King provision:

Animals

• Ga. Code Ann., § 26-2-160: Dog meat prohibition

Environmental

• GA. CODE ANN. §§ 12-16-1 to -8, amended by 2004 Ga. Laws 463: Environmental planning

Health & Safety

• Ga. Code Ann., § 4-5-3: Requirements for disposal of dead livestock

• O.C.G.A. Title 25 Chapter 14: Fire-safety standards for cigarettes

Other examples of state laws that could be nullified by the King amendment are listed here. 

State Sen. Starr, said: “This Farm Bill provision would preempt vital state agricultural policies designed to protect the safety and well-being of Oregon’s consumers and environment. The King Amendment not only violates the tenets of the Tenth Amendment, but would also have significant economic effects across the states, and should be rejected by Congress.”

John Goodwin, director of animal cruelty policy for The Humane Society of the United States said: “State agriculture laws were crafted by legislators, agencies and citizens who know their needs best and should not be overturned by politicians in Washington, D.C. The King amendment is a violation of the Tenth Amendment’s guarantee that states’ sovereign rights cannot be abridged by Congress.”

More than 160 House Democratic and Republican lawmakers wrote to the leadership of their chamber’s Agriculture Committee and expressed opposition to the King amendment.

The HSUS, Humane Society Legislative Fund and a broad coalition of more than 60 groups representing sustainable agriculture, consumer, environmental, animal welfare and other interests are urging conference committee members to omit the provision.

Celebrities have also spoken up including musician Moby and singer/songwriter Ke$ha, who tweeted their opposition.

If King’s amendment becomes law, labeling and other rules for products and ingredients such as artificial sweeteners, maple syrup, milk fat, farm-raised fish, tobacco and additives in alcohol could be swept away. The same for controls on import of firewood carrying invasive pests, rules on pesticide exposure, safety standards for farm workers handling dangerous equipment, and laws restricting practices such as the killing of sharks for their fins and the sale of dog and cat meat.

Facts:

• Rep. King has a history of attempting to block animal welfare laws. He has voted in favor of killing horses for human consumption and trophy killing of polar bears even though they are a threatened species. He also voted against disaster response legislation to address the needs of people with pets, passed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and he opposed legislation to crack down on illegal dogfighting and cockfighting.
• King’s amendment could also nullify six state bans on gestation crates, horse slaughter bans in six states, comprehensive animal welfare standards adopted by the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, and a raft of other animal protection laws designed to shield farm animals from abuse and extreme confinement.

Media Contacts:

Anna West, awest@humanesociety.org, 240-751-2669
Heather Sullivan, hsullivan@humanesociety.org, 240-477-2251

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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.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

WASHINGTON (July 25, 2013) – The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Pa., in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District. As minority chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Leach has consistently led efforts to strengthen state laws on animal cruelty and abuse. Citing his strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges primary voters to support Daylin Leach.

“Daylin Leach is one of Pennsylvania’s strongest champions of animal protection, and an effective leader in cracking down on cruelty and abuse,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has consistently stood up for the values of kindness and compassion and we urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Daylin Leach.”

While serving as Pennsylvania State Senator, Daylin Leach:

• Served as the chair of the Senate Animal Protection Caucus, which he helped to create in order to organize legislators on animal protection issues
• Sponsored legislation to prohibit the sale, possession and distribution of shark fins to crack down on the brutal practice of shark finning (SB 1578)
• Sponsored legislation to phase out the routine non-therapeutic use of antibiotics on industrial factory farms (SB 398)
• Led efforts to ban live pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania (SB 510)
• Cosponsored legislation to address the inhumane continuous tethering of dogs and establish penalties for related offenses (SB 522)
• Cosponsored legislation to strengthen regulations on large-scale puppy mills and protect dogs and consumers (P.L. 1450, No. 119)
• Voted to shift the financial burden of animal cruelty cases from municipalities and nonprofit shelters to those responsible for the animals’ suffering (HB 82)
• Voted to ban the use of carbon monoxide chambers at animal shelters, and allow shelter personnel to procure the drugs necessary to euthanize animals in a humane manner (P.L. 1452, No. 182)
• Voted to strengthen poaching laws by creating a comprehensive penalty system and clarifying rights and duties of wildlife conservation officers (P.L. 387, No. 54)
• Voted to prohibit the simulcasting of greyhound racing (P.L. 210, No. 32)
• Voted to establish liability for the owner of a dog who injures or kills a service dog (HB 165)
• Voted for a bill to require that debarking, tail docking, and other surgical procedures be performed under anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian (HB 39)

HSLF notes that Marjorie Margolies has also supported animal protection issues when she previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives, but Daylin Leach gets the nod for a career-long commitment to animal welfare and active leadership on these issues.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan: (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@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.

Kern County Supervisor has made the plight of homeless animals a top priority

WASHINGTON (July 17, 2013) – The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Leticia Perez in California’s special election for the 16th Senate District’s open seat on July 23.

Troubled by what she has called a “massive” pet overpopulation problem in Kern County’s fifth district, when Perez was elected to the Board of Supervisors, she dedicated her entire discretionary fund – $25,000 – to holding five spay/neuter events in high poverty areas of her district where animals and people need assistance with services. Perez is quoted by the media as saying, “I told my staff I wanted to spend every dime of it” on spay and neuter clinics.

Thanks to Perez’s generosity and leadership, hundreds of cats and dogs have been spayed, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped in her district – helping to persuade the remaining county supervisors to hold similar events to assist their residents. She has worked collaboratively with Kern County Animal Control and the Bakersfield SPCA to put on these events and to promote and protect the human-animal bond.

Outside special interest groups are falsely claiming that Perez supports animal cruelty because of a criminal case she handled while serving as a public defender. The Humane Society Legislative Fund is setting the record straight and wants voters to know about Leticia Perez's positive and forward-thinking record of helping animals.

Sara Amundson, HSLF executive director, said: “Leticia Perez is a leader and a problem solver who has stood up for helping pets and their families in her community. We are pleased to endorse her, and we urge voters to send a humane leader to the state legislature.

HSLF urges voters in the 16th Senate District to support Leticia Perez in the special election.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan: (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@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 (June 7, 2013)—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formalized several policy recommendations designed to reduce animal tests in pesticide safety.  

Even though progress has been made in developing non-animal tests to evaluate chemicals, pesticide registration still requires as many as two dozen different laboratory poisoning tests, which can involve as many as 10,000 dogs, rodents, rabbits, fish, birds and other animals to register a single pesticide. The policy documents formalize several steps toward minimizing animal testing that the EPA has been considering for some time.

“The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund welcome these formal policy statements as a series of important steps in shifting toward smarter chemical assessment that relies on careful evaluation of the information rather than a rote list of required testing,” said Catherine Willett, director of regulatory toxicology for The HSUS. “These policies continue the momentum of providing improved human health and environmental protection while moving away from reliance on animal testing.”

EPA’s announcement includes the following:

• Publication of “Guiding Principles for Data Requirements” formalizing a flexible approach to chemical assessment to maximize the efficiency of data collection, thereby minimizing the use of animal testing.
• Publication of “Part 158 Toxicology Data Requirements: Guidance for Neurotoxicity Battery, Subchronic Inhalation, Subchronic Dermal and Immunotoxicity Studies” emphasizing the use of an evaluation process to determine if  testing is necessary and describing how testing can be avoided, as an alternative to simple check-box requirements.
• Acceptance as policy of a previous pilot study that allows a non-animal testing framework for classification of eye irritation for anti-microbial pesticides.
• A new policy, Combining Genotoxicity Testing with Standard Repeated Dose Toxicology Testing, that reduces animal testing by combining genotoxicity endpoints into routine toxicology studies.

The HSUS continues to urge the EPA to implement further measures to reduce animal tests which do not provide useful information and implement non-animal tests that are more relevant for humans.

Media contact: Niki Ianni: 610-999-6932, nianni@humanesociety.org

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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.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

Rep. Jason Smith Connected to Puppy Mill, Has Terrible Record on Animal Welfare and Disrespecting the Will of the Voters

WASHINGTON (May 31, 2013) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of State Rep. Steve Hodges, D-Mo., in Missouri’s special election for the 8th Congressional District open seat on June 4th. Hodge’s opponent, Jason Smith, R-Mo., has been a leading opponent of animal protection legislation, and worked to dismantle a voter initiative on puppy mills, despite the fact that he had a conflict of interest since his family operates a puppy mill.

As Majority Whip of the Missouri House, Smith has helped lead the charge on dismantling Proposition B, the voter-approved Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, which set humane standards for large-scale dog breeding operations. In 2010, Prop B passed in a statewide vote—and won majorities in most state Senate and state House districts.

Additionally, he’s done this despite there being a clear conflict of interest: Smith’s mother owns and operates a puppy mill in Missouri that has been cited in The Humane Society of the United States’ “Dirty Dozen” report.

Since the passage of Prop B, Smith has repeatedly sponsored and voted for legislation that would hamper and even abolish Missouri's citizens' constitutional right to keep their state government in check through the initiative and referendum process and to allow the citizens to directly decide on animal welfare issues. Most recently, Smith led the effort to pass a “right to farm” bill that could potentially prohibit future laws on agriculture dealing with food safety, animal welfare, labor, the environment and other concerns (HJR 7&HJR11).

“Jason Smith puts his own interests above the interests of Missouri voters,” said Dane Waters, political director for the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “Ever since Missouri citizens voted to establish humane standards for puppy mills, Smith has been fighting to strip them of their constitutional rights, prevent citizen participation in the public process, and use his political power for the commercial benefit of his own family.”

Hodges, in contrast, while serving in the Missouri House has supported a number of common-sense state policies to help protect both animals and the rights of
Missouri residents. Among his efforts, he has:

• Voted for the Animal Care Facilities Act to exempt nonprofit animal shelters from commercial taxes and other fees (HCS HBs 1934 &1654)
• Opposed a bill to propose a constitutional amendment that would prevent Missouri voters from weighing in on animal welfare and agriculture issues (HCS HJR 86).
• Voted for the Large Carnivore Act, to regulate the ownership, possession and breeding of dangerous captive exotic animals (HCS HB 426)
• Opposed a bill to allow for the slaughter of horses for human consumption (HCS HB 1747)

HSLF urges voters to reject Jason Smith’s terrible record on animal cruelty and conflict of interest, and support Steve Hodges in the special election for the 8th Congressional District seat.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@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 (May 29, 2013) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., in Massachusetts’ special election for U.S. Senate. Citing his strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges Massachusetts voters to support Ed Markey.

“Ed Markey has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting animals from cruelty and abuse,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has consistently stood up for the values of kindness and compassion and we urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Ed Markey.”

Markey has supported a number of federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among his efforts, Markey has:

• Called on former Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar to ban the international commercial trade of polar bear parts and called for stronger protections for bears from trophy hunting as ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee
• Opposed a bill that would have removed protections for  sea lions (H.R. 3069)
• 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 sale or transport of equines and equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for human consumption
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act, H.R. 1518, to eliminate the abusive act of soring horses by improving the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s enforcement capabilities and strengthening penalties against violators, among other provisions
• Co-sponsored the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, H.R. 1513, to phase out the use of chimpanzees in invasive research, retire federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuary and save millions of taxpayer dollars
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to close a loophole in the federal animal fighting law by  establishing penalties for attending or bringing a child to a dogfight or cockfight
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, H.R. 835, to protect dogs and consumers by cracking down on large-scale puppy mill abuses
• Voted to save taxpayer dollars by limiting subsidies to massive factory farms, which thrive on taxpayer giveaways that keep animal feed artificially cheap, jeopardize public health, the environment and animal welfare, while also driving smaller and more humane sustainable family farms out of business (H.AMDT.124/H.R.1 and H.AMDT. 478/H.R. 2112)
• Voted to save millions of taxpayer dollars by reducing the use of toxic poisons and other inhumane methods of killing predators as a subsidy for private livestock ranchers (H.AMDT.471/H.R.2112)
• Opposed a devastating “extinction rider” that would have weakened the Endangered Species Act by preventing the listing of imperiled species and designation of critical habitat (H.AMDT.735/H.R.2584)
• Voted to protect threatened polar bears in the Arctic and prevent the import of sport-hunted polar bear trophies from Canada (H.AMDT.1008/H.R. 4089)
• Opposed  the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act, a $12 million package that would overturn key protections for threatened polar bears, expose federal lands to sport hunting, and strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to protect wildlife, habitat and people from lead poisoning through exposure to toxic ammunition (H.R. 4089)
• 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: Raul Arce-Contreras, (301) 721-6440, hslfrcontreras@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.