CivicIndex

Federal Policy

Animal Welfare and Wildlife

Federal animal policy spans the Endangered Species Act, the Animal Welfare Act, fisheries management, and wildlife trafficking enforcement. Bills here often address pet regulation, marine mammal protection, hunting and fishing rights on federal land, and the welfare of animals in research and agriculture.

Committees with jurisdiction

  • House Committee on Natural Resources
  • House Committee on Agriculture
  • Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
  • Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Members who specialize in this area

Leadership

Committee members

207 more members on jurisdictional committees not shown.

Recent bills in this area

  • HR. 8401 — 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.

    Sponsor:
    Nicholas J. Begich III · Republican · AK
    Latest action:
    Subcommittee Hearings Held

  • HR. 8723 — FIGHT Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Don Bacon · Republican · NE
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

  • HR. 8627 — Petfax Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Deborah K. Ross · Democratic · NC
    Latest action:
    Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

  • S. 4437 — Puppy Protection Act of 2026

    Latest action:
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

  • HR. 8496 — Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Julia Brownley · Democratic · CA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

  • HR. 8509 — To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective.

    Sponsor:
    Jared F. Golden · Democratic · ME
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

  • HR. 8450 — Save Willy Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Sam T. Liccardo · Democratic · CA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

  • HR. 6251 — 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.

    Latest action:
    Subcommittee Hearings Held

Frequently asked

Who regulates animal welfare federally?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees the Animal Welfare Act and inspects research labs, zoos, and breeders. The Fish and Wildlife Service handles endangered species, and NOAA manages marine species.