Congress is currently in recess for the month of August. They will be back in session in September and considering a number of issues of interest to dog owners:

Sunstein Nomination – The American Kennel Club is deeply concerned about President Obama’s nomination of Cass Sunstein as Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The administrator, known as the “Regulatory Czar”, oversees regulations throughout the government, and is believed to play a prominent role in President Obama’s administration. While Sunstein is a noted legal scholar in the fields of constitutional, administrative, and environmental law, the AKC is troubled by some of his academic writings that advocate a radical animal rights philosophy.

While any Regulatory Czar is not likely to have a direct affect on dog law, the AKC believes that Mr. Sunstein’s probable confirmation is of great concern. Currently, two Senators—Jim DeMint of South Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas—have placed “holds” on Mr. Sunstein’s nomination. A nomination cannot move forward during Congress’ regular session while a hold is in effect. The American Kennel Club is grateful to Senators DeMint and Cornyn for placing holds on Sunstein’s nomination. AKC’s Government Relations Department, in consultation with our federal legislative consultants in Washington, D.C., continue to carefully monitor the situation

House Concurrent Resolution 160 – This bill commemorates the AKC’s 125th Anniversary and honors the AKC’s service to dog owners and the general public. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The AKC encourages fanciers and breeders to contact their congressional delegation and ask them to sign on to this resolution.

H.R. 3266 – This bill, sponsored by Rep. Ron Klein of Florida, establishes a 5-year grant program called the “Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps”. The program provides funds to organizations that will provide therapy dogs to veterans with disabilities. The AKC is monitoring this bill, which recognizes another tremendous benefit of dog ownership.

Senate Bill 1495 – This bill, sponsored by Senator Al Franken of Minnesota, also seeks to provide therapy dogs for wounded veterans. This bill would establish a 3-year pilot program to study the benefits of providing therapy dogs to soldiers suffering from a physical or mental disability due to service in Iraq or Afghanistan. In addition to providing dogs to a select group of veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs will study the associated therapeutic and economic benefits resulting from the program. The AKC is closely monitoring this legislation.