Animal Welfare Groups Welcome Reps. Mike Fitzpatrick and Earl Blumenauer as New Co-Chairs of Bipartisan Congressional Animal Protection Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), the Animal Welfare Institute, The Humane Society of the United States, and the Humane Society Legislative Fund applaud the naming of Reps. Mike Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., as the new co-chairs of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus for the 114th Congress. The CAPC is a bipartisan caucus committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues in Congress.

Reps. Fitzpatrick and Blumenauer have been leading champions of humane issues and have demonstrated a career-long commitment to advancing animal welfare policies in Congress. The two previously collaborated to introduce legislation that would protect public health and safety by prohibiting interstate commerce in primates for the pet trade, and supported many other animal welfare legislative efforts including bills to crack down on animal fighting, protect farm animals, and save our nation’s horses from the cruelty of slaughter. As co-chairs, Fitzpatrick and Blumenauer will work with new and returning CAPC members to advance animal protection legislation in the 114^th Congress. 

“This Congress, I am honored to take on a leadership role in promoting animal protection alongside my trusted colleague, Earl Blumenauer,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “I look forward to building upon the achievements of the 113^th Congressional Animal Protection Caucus and continuing to foster bipartisan support for common-sense animal welfare laws.”

“I’m excited to be able to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus,” said Rep. Blumenauer. “The way we treat all animals, whether domesticated or wild, reflects our values and has an incredible impact on the livability and vitality of our communities. They not only enrich our lives, they all deserve humane and compassionate treatment.  The Congressional Animal Protection Caucus will be a bipartisan forum to educate, encourage and organize members of Congress to be an effective, powerful voice for animal protection.”

Formed in 2009, the CAPC, through non-partisan forums and briefings, seeks to highlight important issues affecting animals. The CAPC also tracks the progress of relevant legislation, provides Members of Congress with credible information, and strives to build broad coalitions in support of common-sense, humane animal welfare laws and policies.