Want to know how your local representative or state senator voted on animal welfare issues? Check out the Humane Scorecard. It provides an easy way for you to assess how your Congressional leaders voted on animal protection issues.
“We made major strides forward for animals in 2009,” says Mike Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We set the stage for final action on a number of priority bills in 2010, and made new animal protection issues part of the political discourse. Here’s our year in review, and a look at the achievements, setbacks, and future outlook for animals in Congress.
“I’d like to give special thanks to the following 6 Senators and 13 Representatives who scored the highest possible 100+, meaning they had a perfect score on animal protection and also provided key leadership on a particular issue or issues.”
Sen. Daniel Akaka (Hawaii)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.)
Sen. John Kerry (Mass.)
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (N.J.)
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
Sen. Robert Menendez (N.J.)
Rep. Robert Andrews (N.J.)
Rep. Howard Berman (Calif.)
Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (Mich.)
Rep. Susan Davis (Calif.)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.)
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.)
Rep. Rush Holt (N.J.)
Rep. Nita Lowey (N.Y.)
Rep. George Miller (Calif.)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (Ill.)
Rep. Brad Sherman (Calif.)
Rep. Edolphus Towns (N.Y.)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (Md.)
For Better Clarity
For a well-rounded look at many of the bills before Congress, and to find out how you can help, check out Animal Law Coalition. Obviously, I’m a fan of the site because I don’t always get legal terminology. Animal Law Coalition beautifully turns legalese into lay terms and gives the full picture behind important legislative issues.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by doggybytes: Congressional Report Card on Animal Welfare http://bit.ly/9UASa8 via @michelechollow…
So only 19 senators and representatives out of a possible 535? 3.55%? I guess I shouldn’t really be surprised. We elect people to vote our collective conscious, but then never follow through to see what the voting record is. It’s our own fault. There aren’t more elected officials supporting animal rights because we don’t hold them accountable.
Thanks for this–I think you announced before the Humane Legislative group did! Thanks!
It’s so true Rod. We need to start asking about their views on important animal welfare issues.
This is a great post Michele. Interesting that California is known as pet friendly, and they have 5 people on this list – the most of any state! Good for those Californians!!
Well done, Michele! Very interesting indeed. And today I’m proud to be a Californian.
Generally, I am not very keen on politics in general – however, occasionally all of us have to pay attention. There are some very good arguments debated here, and I am considering the point – I am grateful to you.