I am proud of my record as a strong supporter of animal rights and ocean protection, cosponsoring legislation banning leghold traps (H.R.1691), supporting a new law that strengthens a prohibition on animal fighting (Public Law No. 110-22), and introducing legislation to protect and conserve the health of our oceans (H.R.21). I believe it is our responsibility as a civilized society to treat animals fairly and humanely and to protect their habitats, and I will continue to fight for their well-being.

Polar Bears

The controversy over listing polar bears on the Endangered Species Act has heated up. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 5058, introduced by Rep. Edward Markey, which would prohibit the sale of any oil and gas leases for any tract located in the Lease Sale 193 Area of the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region until the decision is made whether to list the polar bear on the endangered species list.

I also want to let you know that I am a proud cosponsor of the Polar Bear Protection Act (H.R.2327). This important piece of legislation will amend the 1972 Marine Mammal Protect Act (MMPA). The MMPA left an unfortunate loophole that allows American hunters to import sport-hunted polar bear trophies from Canada.

Bears

A bill was introduced in March 2008 to stop the illegal trafficking on bear body parts. The Bear Protection Act (H.R. 5534) would protect bears that are now illegally harvested for their body parts. Current law does not include bears under its protection. The legislation received a hearing but has not moved out of its committee.

Downed Animals

The Downed Animal and Food Safety Act (H.R. 661) would amend Livestock Slaughter Act of 1958 to ensure the humane slaughter of nonambulatory livestock. I am a cosponsor of this bill. 

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