Animal Rights
As a member of the Animal Protection Caucus, I am committed to ensuring that animals are treated humanely and that existing laws protecting animals are enforced.
I recognize that we have a responsibility to treat animals with compassion and to foster respect, understanding and consideration for all creatures. Throughout my tenure, I have been an ardent supporter of animal welfare issues domestically and around the world.
Included in my efforts to protect animals is my strong opposition to any attempts to weaken the Animal Welfare Act (P.L. 89-544). This law requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create standards governing the humane handling, care, treatment and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities and exhibitors. Large-scale commercial breeders are required to be licensed and regularly inspected by the USDA. However, commercial breeders must be required to adhere to humane standards of treatment of animals. I support regulations of commercial breeding facilities.