October 16, 2006

Animal Welfare Group Announces Other New Jersey Endorsements, Places Ad Today in 7th District Supporting U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson

WASHINGTON —  Citing him as a leader on animal welfare policy in the U.S. Senate, the Humane Society Legislative Fund announced today that it has endorsed U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez in this November’s general election.  

"In order to pass humane laws, we need humane lawmakers like Senator Bob Menendez," said Richard Patch, political director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "New Jersey voters who care about animal welfare should support his re-election."

In his 14 years in the U.S. House and Senate, Bob Menendez has been one of the most dedicated supporters of animal protection. He has consistently scored high marks on the Humane Society Legislative Fund’s Humane Scorecard. Some of the animal welfare issues supported by Senator Menendez include:

• Animal Fighting: He co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act to strengthen the penalties for illegal dogfighting and cockfighting, making it a felony to transport animals across state lines for these gruesome and barbaric fights. 
• Horse Slaughter: He voted to end the slaughter of tens of thousands of thoroughbreds, family ponies, and other horses for food exports to France, Belgium, and other countries. He also co-sponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
• Pets in Disasters: He co-sponsored the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, led by Senator Frank Lautenberg, to require emergency planning for pets and service animals, keeping people and pets together during disasters.
• Downer Livestock: He voted to stop the sale of sick and injured farm animals who are dragged to slaughter with ropes, chains, bulldozers, and forklifts. These "downed" animals pose a greater risk of "mad cow disease" and other threats to our food supply. He also co-sponsored the Downed Animal Protection Act.
• Puppy Mills: He co-sponsored the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) to crack down on abusive "puppy mills" that treat the dogs like they are production machines.
• Enforcement of Animal Welfare Laws: He has consistently supported efforts to increase funding to improve enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and federal animal fighting law.
• Canadian Seal Hunt: He co-sponsored a Senate resolution calling on the Canadian government to end the cruel clubbing of hundreds of thousands of baby harp seals for their fur pelts.
• Yellowstone Bison: He voted to stop the killing of American bison in Yellowstone National Park.
• Bear Baiting: He voted to stop the cruel and dangerous practice of shooting bears over piles of grease and jelly doughnuts on federal lands.

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue. A complete list of HSLF’s endorsements is available online at www.humanevoting.com.

For the U.S. House of Representatives, HSLF is backing Robert Andrews (D-1st), Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd), Jim Saxton (R-3rd), Chris Smith (R-4th), Paul Aronsohn (D-5th), Frank Pallone (D-6th), Mike Ferguson (R-7th), Bill Pascrell (D-8th), Steven Rothman (D-9th), Donald Payne (D-10th), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R -11th), Rush Holt (D-12th), and Albio Sires (D-13th).

Also today, HSLF has placed a full-page ad in the Courier News supporting the re-election of U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-7th). Ferguson has been a leader on numerous animal welfare issues, and this year he introduced the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, H.R. 4904, which would require all garments trimmed with real animal fur to be clearly labeled to provide consumers with important product information. A federal labeling loophole currently leaves shoppers in the dark about the type of fur trim on everyday apparel—faux or fox, even cat or dog fur. Representative Ferguson's bill will protect consumers and protect animals from cruelty. A copy of today's full-page ad is available online.

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Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Contributions or gifts to HSLF are not tax deductible. Your donation may be used for lobbying to pass laws to protect animals, as well as for political purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates. HSLF does not accept contributions from business corporations or labor organizations. On the web at www.hslf.org.