Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Representative Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) announced the relaunch of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC). 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.
"I'm excited to be able to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus," said Representative 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."
"This Congress, I am honored to take on a leadership role in promoting animal protection alongside my trusted colleague, Earl Blumenauer," said Representative Fitzpatrick. "I look forward to building upon the achievements of the 113th Congressional Animal Protection Caucus and continuing to foster bipartisan support for common-sense animal welfare laws."
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. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), 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 and have demonstrated a career-long commitment to advancing animal welfare policies in Congress," the organizations said in a joint statement. "We appreciate how 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 114th Congress."
Please contact David Skillman in Rep. Blumenauer's office or Aaron Clark in Rep. Fitzpatrick's office for more information:
David.Skillman@mail.house.gov
(202) 225-4811
Aaron.Clark@mail.house.gov
(202) 225-4276
2.4.2015