Throughout my time in Congress, I have consistently co-sponsored animal welfare legislation to protect animals of all walks of life. I am a proud member of the Animal Welfare Caucus, a bipartisan coalition that focuses exclusively on animal welfare issues. I continue to believe that the manner in which a society treats its animals is one of the best ways to measure its level of moral progress. Some of the legislation I’ve supported that protects the health and wellness of four-legged-friends and furry companions are:

As a lifelong pet owner and outdoorsman, I understand firsthand the joy and companionship that animals add to our lives. I believe we have a responsibility to treat animals in the most humane manner possible, and I feel honored to maintain the status of “Leader” on the U.S. Humane Society Scorecard, having previously achieved a 100 percent score. To an even greater extent, protecting animals and certain species in a non-disruptive and thoughtful way protects the surrounding ecosystems and the environment we live in. 

One of my goals is to expand awareness of some of the animal welfare issues that we in the West specifically encounter, such as Valley Fever, where I am leading a bipartisan piece of legislation– the FORWARD Act— to expand research to find a cure or vaccine.     

As we’ve seen Valley Fever cases rise across the western United States over the last decade, it’s critical that we continue to prioritize the delivery of medical breakthroughs that will help treat our family members and their beloved pets. This bipartisan legislation helps to combat Valley Fever by providing resources to further close the scientific gap in understanding this disease, support research, and accelerate vaccine development that will hopefully eradicate it once and for all.

Another passion project I’ve taken up for years that protects animals is the PAWS Off Act, which mandates safe labeling of products containing Xylitol. The genesis of this legislation stems from a heart-wrenching, true story of when my neighbor approached me with tears streaming down his face. It turns out, his dog had ingested gum, which contains a poisonous-to-dogs substance called Xylitol. Shockingly, it’s common that many pet-owners, including myself, weren’t aware of the severe toxicity this substance presented for our four-legged companions. The Paws Off Act of 2023 ensures safe labeling on products that contain Xylitol so owners can remain vigilant of what their pets ingest.

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Wild horses are a great pride of our community, and I have long been an advocate in Congress for their humane treatment. As you know, far too many horses in our district have fallen victim to cruel roundups and mass removals. As such, I recently cosponsored a piece of legislation, H.R.3656, the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2023, which prohibits the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from using or contracting for the use of helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft for gathering horses and burros under the Wild Free-roaming Horses and Burros Act. Further, BLM may not make contracts to use helicopters for transporting captured animals under such act.

I’ve also authored various letters to ensure humane treatment of this precious species. One letter in particular expresses gratitude to the BLM for funding for the implementation of humane, proven, and reversible immunocontraceptive vaccines in the House and Senate Interior Appropriations bills for the Wild Horse and Burro (WHB) Program. Further, the letter also supports key language in the final spending bill that would protect horses from slaughter and promote humane management. Organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences note that fertility control vaccines are the most promising form of humane horse population control, and I am hopeful that we can bolster this sustainable practice through legislative efforts. You can view the full text of this letter here. Examples of other letters of advocacy can be found here:

I have consistently co-sponsored safeguarding legislation such as H. R. 3355, the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act. This legislation would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to formally recognize equine parts as an unsafe food additive or animal drug. Additionally, I am proud to have co-sponsored the Prevent All Scoring Tactics (PAST) Act which would amend the 1970 Horse Protection Act by eliminating the failed system of industry-self policing and creating harsher penalties for those utilizing this cruel practice. To see more stories of ways I’ve worked to protect animals, you can view additional news stories and articles below.