Legislative subject term
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
A legislative subject term is one of any number the Congressional Research Service assigns to a bill. The term is the government's own wording, shown word for word; this site did not write it or choose it.
141 bills carry this term in the covered Congresses.
Follow this topic by feed — new official actions on these bills, no account needed.
Bills, most recent action first
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PEARL Act
Received in the Senate.
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To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that artificially propagated animals shall be treated the same under that Act as naturally propagated animals, and for other purposes.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 17.
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Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- H.R. 9436 (119th) Sep 14, 2026
Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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PEARL Act
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 569.
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Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- H.R. 9770 (119th) Jul 22, 2026
Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes.
Received in the Senate.
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Whale CHARTS Act of 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
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To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before the date the polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- H.R. 8469 (119th) Jul 14, 2026
Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 455.
- S. 1003 (119th) Jun 26, 2026
Lulu’s Law
Became Public Law No: 119-100.
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To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
- H.R. 7567 (119th) May 19, 2026
Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026
Received in the Senate.
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Lulu’s Law
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 518.
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Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025
Held at the desk.
- H.R. 4638 (119th) Mar 19, 2026
Federal Working Animal Protection Act
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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Protecting Local Zoos Act of 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
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Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 13.
- S. 1071 (119th) Dec 18, 2025
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Became Public Law No: 119-60.
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PEARL Act
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- H.R. 5371 (119th) Nov 12, 2025
Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Became Public Law No: 119-37.
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A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of October 24, 2025, to October 31, 2025, as "Bat Week".
Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7787)
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Expressing support for the designation of the week of October 24, 2025, to October 31, 2025, as "Bat Week".
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- S. 2882 (119th) Oct 9, 2025
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
Motion by Senator Schumer to reconsider, under the order of 10/9/2025, not having voted on the prevailing side, the vote by which the third cloture motion on the motion to proceed to S. 2882 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 557) entered in Senate.
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Black Vulture Relief Act
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 286.
- H.R. 3838 (119th) Sep 30, 2025
Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Received in the Senate.
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CBP Canine Home Kenneling Pilot Act
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 266.
- H.R. 3944 (119th) Sep 18, 2025
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.
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Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 175.
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TRANS MICE Act
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 138.
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Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
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Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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A resolution designating May 10, 2025, as "World Migratory Bird Day".
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2831; text: CR S2843)
- H.R. 1968 (119th) Mar 15, 2025
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-4.
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CUTS Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
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Humane Cosmetics Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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HEARTS Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
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CARGO Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
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Protecting Dogs Subjected to Experiments Act
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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HELP PETS Act
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
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HELP PETS Act
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
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Paws Off Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Manatee Protection Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- H.R. 5009 (118th) Dec 23, 2024
Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025
Became Public Law No: 118-159.
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Working Dog Health and Welfare Act of 2023
Became Public Law No: 118-195.
- H.R. 10545 (118th) Dec 21, 2024
American Relief Act, 2025
Became Public Law No: 118-158.
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Prioritizing American Farmers and Agricultural Industry Over Bureaucracy Act
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
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CBP Canine Home Kenneling Pilot Act
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
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Ejiao Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
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Indian Buffalo Management Act
Held at the desk.
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Black Vulture Relief Act of 2024
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 679.
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To require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to foster enhanced coexistence between ocean users and North Atlantic right whales and other large cetacean species.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-837, Part I.
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Whale CHARTS Act of 2024
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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HELP PETS Act
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
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Expressing support for the designation of the week of October 24, 2024, to October 31, 2024, as "Bat Week".
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry.
- H.R. 9747 (118th) Sep 26, 2024
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025
Became Public Law No: 118-83.
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PEARL Act
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
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A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of October 24, 2024, to October 31, 2024, as "Bat Week".
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6467; text: CR S6459-6460)
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A resolution designating November 2, 2024, as "National Bison Day".
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6382; text: CR S6375)
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A resolution expressing support for recognizing September 20 as National Service Dog Day.
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6382; text: CR S6376)
- H.R. 9494 (118th) Sep 18, 2024
Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- H.R. 8580 (118th) Sep 12, 2024
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 506.
- H.R. 8998 (118th) Sep 12, 2024
Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 509.
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Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.
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A bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to foster enhanced coexistence between ocean users and North Atlantic right whales and other large cetacean species.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 447.
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Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 483.
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Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 437.
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Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act of 2024
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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Indian Buffalo Management Act
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 465.
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CUTS Act
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on Appropriations, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
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Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 33 - 21.
- H.R. 2560 (118th) Apr 15, 2024
Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023
Received in the Senate.
- H.R. 4366 (118th) Mar 9, 2024
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
Became Public Law No: 118-42.
- H.Res. 1061 (118th) Mar 6, 2024
Providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 4366, with an amendment.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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ESA Flexibility Act
Subcommittee Hearings Held
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Habitat Enhancement Now Act
Subcommittee Hearings Held
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FDA Modernization Act 3.0
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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Supporting Our Shelters Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Expressing support for the designation of the week of October 24, 2023, to October 31, 2023, as "BatWeek".
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
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The Senator Jose ‘Pedo’ Terlaje HITA Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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WILD Act
By Senator Carper from Committee on Environment and Public Works filed written report. Report No. 118-128.
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Innovative FEED Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- H.R. 4821 (118th) Nov 7, 2023
Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 239.
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To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that artificially propagated animals shall be treated the same under that Act as naturally propagated animals, and for other purposes.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
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Racehorse Health and Safety Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.
- H.R. 4368 (118th) Sep 28, 2023
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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Agricultural Worker Justice Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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Urging all countries to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade and to enforce existing laws against such trade.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Saving America’s Pollinators Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
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The Gulf of Mexico Commerce Protection Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
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PETSAFE Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
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Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Greyhound Protection Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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PUPP Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Canyon’s Law
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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Agricultural Worker Justice Act
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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CARGO Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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A concurrent resolution urging all countries to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade and to enforce existing laws against such trade.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3463-3464)
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Mink VIRUS Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Protecting Whales, Human Safety and the Economy Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
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Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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SAFE Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Keeping Pets and Families Together Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.
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Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 111.
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Fly PETS Act
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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SAFE Act of 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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Canyon’s Law
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
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Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
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Pets Belong With Families Act
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
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Innovative FEED Act
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
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PIGS Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
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Better Foreign Policy Through Better Pet Policy Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
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Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act of 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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PAST Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.
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CARE Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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RESCUE Whales Act of 2023
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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Human-Animal Chimera Prohibition Act of 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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HEARTS Act of 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
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Manatee Protection Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
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Promoting Local Management of the Lesser Prairie Chicken Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
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Paws Off Act of 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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Protecting Dogs Subjected to Experiments Act
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act of 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
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RAISE Act of 2023
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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