The full U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled vote on the Farm Bill (H.R. 7567 – the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, the week of 27th. The AKC is proud to support the version of the Farm Bill slated for consideration by the House as it includes important priorities for dog enthusiasts and responsible breeders, including canine health, welfare and the rights of responsible dog owners and breeders.
As part of the process to bring the Farm Bill to the House floor, the House Rules Committee will meet on Monday, April 27th at 1:00 p.m. to adopt a Rule to govern House floor debate on the Farm Bill and determine what amendments get a floor vote. There are three onerous amendments (outlined below), backed by animal rights extremists that, if adopted, would institute harmful and arbitrary restrictions and one-size-fits all mandates that are not in the best interests of all dogs, and undermine individual flexibility that allows for best practices and optimal outcomes.
As a constituent of an important member of the House Rules Committee, YOU can make a big difference for dogs. Please contact your Representative and request that they oppose making these amendments in order for a vote of the full House of Representatives.
- Ask them to oppose these amendments that would impose arbitrary and costly new regulations and licensing standards on responsible breeders that do not benefit all dogs. These include:
- Amendment #135 – Goldie’s Act
- Amendment #11 – Puppy Protection Act
- Amendment #18 – Aligns with previous versions of the Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act and proposes wholesale changes to the Animal Welfare Act licensing process that will undermine education and opportunities for new responsible breeders to obtain licensing.
- Ask them to support the animal enhancement provisions included in the base text of the Farm Bill and to support passage of a bill that does not restrict responsible breeders and dog owners.
It’s Easy to Make a Difference — Please Act Now!
Even if your member of the U.S. House Rules Committee already shares these concerns, it is important that they hear from YOU, their constituents. Your individual contact makes a difference – and it’s easy to do.
Click Here to contact your member of Congress to send a personalized message:
- Explain you are a constituent. Respectfully share your experience and concerns as a dog owner/breeder/expert.
- Respectfully ask them to oppose allowing a floor vote on the three restrictive anti-breeder amendments. Ask them to support final passage of the Farm Bill that includes the animal care enhancement provisions to the Animal Welfare Act in Title XII.
- Remind the congressional offices that these amendments are supported by numerous animal extremists who have stated that they oppose breeding and even ownership of dogs.
- If you can, let the AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) team (doglaw@akc.org) know you contacted your lawmakers and if you received any response.
More information/Background:
Problematic Amendments – Respectfully request that members of the House Rules Committee to oppose making these amendments in rrder for a House floor vote.
- Amendment #11 – Sponsors – Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) & Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) – Mandates One-Size-Fits all kennel engineering standards that undermine best care practices. Mandates arbitrary and inflexible prohibitions on breeding a dog based on size and age that are not appropriate for all types or breeds of dogs and could harm some dogs. Requires unrestricted access, during daylight hours, to exercise area large enough to allow extension of full stride”, arbitrary temperature requirements, and other requirements that become problematic without flexibility to allow for individual animals’ needs and requirements. This amendment is identical to H.R. 2254, the Puppy Protection Act.
- Amendment #18 – Sponsors – Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8), Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-1), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC-1) – This amendment aligns previous versions of the Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act and proposes wholesale changes to the Animal Welfare Act licensing process that will undermine education and opportunities for new responsible breeders to obtain licensing including:
- Annual renewal of licenses rather than the current 3-year renewal
- Requires a pre-license “unannounced” inspection of all new applicants and renewals, without providing a grace period for license extensions if USDA is unable to inspect licensees’ facility a breeder in a timely manner
- Provides new applicants only 2 chances to pass “unannounced” inspections while the current standard is 3 inspections
- Requires APHIS to deny renewal request for mere non-compliance with any APHIS standards during any two unannounced inspections conducted over the previous two calendar years – an obvious onerous requirement with which even the best of facilities would find nearly impossible to comply.
- Provides the Secretary the discretion to determine that a violation presents a “risk to animal welfare,” without describing risk to animal welfare.
- If the Secretary determines there is any violation that poses a “risk to anima welfare”, the must suspend or revoke the license
- Eliminates the due process of license holders by taking away their right to a hearing before the Secretary makes a determination on whether any violation poses a ‘risk to animal welfare
- A license holder would only be granted an undefined “informal” hearing before being subjected to potential “permanent” license revocation.
- Requires that an applicant provide a complete list of all animals held at all facilities.
- Mandates publication of inspection reports containing non-compliance citations and other enforcement records “in their entirety and without redaction”, without providing a FOIA exemption or allowing affected persons to invoke administrative and court processes to protect against public disclosure of their protected information.
- Amendment #135 – Sponsors Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) & Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) – This amendment, which is identical to H.R. 379, Goldie’s Act, allows for immediate seizure or euthanasia without due process of any animal an inspector perceives to be suffering from, among other things, “psychological harm” — a term it does not define. The provision redefines violations of the AWA to remove the distinction between minor non-compliances such as paperwork errors and animal care violations and recasts any noncompliance or deviation from regulatory standards put in place by USDA as an automatic violation of the AWA.
Positive measures to support in current House Farm Bill
Title 12 of the Farm Bill contains positive provisions including:
- Enhanced protections for dogs under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The AWA provides the basis for federal breeder licensing and oversight. AKC supports improved enforcement of AWA violations, including additional resources and reporting for USDA. In recent years, poor enforcement of breeder requirements has resulted in high-profile cases used by anti-breeder groups to undermine the reputation of the vast majority of caring, responsible breeders. Defunding of educational outreach, including teachable moments, have further undermined a cooperative approach to animal welfare and support of best practices.
- Additional resources for USDA to better enforce the AWA existing regulations. Requires a report to Congress on existing enforcement of the AWA with recommendations on improving enforcement and enhancing educational programs and outreach.
- Animal Care: Clarifies that visual dental examinations should be included in existing annual veterinary requirements.
- Expands USDA’s documentation requirements for pets entering the United States, providing a policy alternative for the current ban on the import of owned puppies under of 6 months of age that meet health requirements. This reflects language in the Healthy Dog Importation Act (HR 3349/S. 1725) by requiring electronic records documentation on dogs prior to their importation that confirms the dog is in good health; microchipped; has received all necessary vaccination and parasite treatment, demonstrated negative test results, and has a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian; and in the case of a dog intended for transfer, is at least 6 months old. Exceptions are provided for dogs that are personal pets of United States origin returning to the United States; United States military working dogs; for research purposes; and coming to the United States solely for veterinary treatment; among several others.
- Provides funding for transitional shelters for victims of domestic violence that allow victims to shelter with a pet. This measure reflects efforts privately supported by the AKC Humane Fund that ensure that concern for a pet left behind does not prevent a victim from seeking needed safety and shelter.
- Increases resources for the USDA’s National Detector Dog Training programs to support the training of specially selected dogs (and their handlers) to identify invasive pests and diseases that threaten agriculture.
- Expands USDA’s documentation requirements for pets entering the United States, providing a policy alternative for the current ban on the import of owned puppies under of 6 months of age that meet health requirements. This reflects language in the Healthy Dog Importation Act (HR 3349/S. 1725) by requiring electronic records documentation on dogs prior to their importation that confirms the dog is in good health; microchipped; has received all necessary vaccination and parasite treatment, demonstrated negative test results, and has a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian; and in the case of a dog intended for transfer, is at least 6 months old. Exceptions are provided for dogs that are personal pets of United States origin returning to the United States; United States military working dogs; for research purposes; and coming to the United States solely for veterinary treatment; among several others.
Questions? Contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org or 919-816-3720.
THANK YOU for your partnership and commitment to a better world for purpose-bred dogs and responsible dog ownership!