Animal Welfare
How we treat animals is a direct reflection of our character — both as individuals and as a nation. Throughout his career, Congressman Cohen has worked to strengthen animal protection laws, promote the humane treatment of animals, and defend our nation’s wildlife.
As a proud member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, Congressman Cohen has consistently received a 100% rating from the Humane Society of the United States and Defenders of Wildlife for his voting record in Congress.
Ending Horse Soring and Horse Slaughter
Horse “soring” is a cruel and painful practice used by some trainers to force Tennessee Walking Horses and other breeds to perform exaggerated gaits. Congressman Cohen has led efforts to end this abuse by sponsoring the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, which would strengthen enforcement of the Horse Protection Act and hold violators accountable.
He has also consistently cosponsored the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, which would prohibit the reopening of horse slaughter plants in the U.S. and the export of American horses to slaughter for human consumption, and has led the introduction of the Horse Transportation Safety Act, which would ban the transportation of horses across state lines in dangerous "double decker" trucks or trailers.
Protecting Wildlife
From safeguarding endangered species to preserving critical habitats, Congressman Cohen believes protecting wildlife is essential to maintaining the balance of our natural environment. He has supported efforts to strengthen anti-poaching laws, combat illegal wildlife trafficking, and ensure that our public lands remain safe for the species that call them home.
Animal Cruelty
As a State Senator in Tennessee, Congressman Cohen sponsored legislation to make aggravated animal cruelty a felony, as well as legislation that allow owners to receive damages in cases of intentional or negligent acts resulting in the death of a pet.
In Congress, he has cosponsored several pieces of legislation to combat animal cruelty including the Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act, the Puppy Protection Act, and the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act.
Ending Animal Abuse in Research
Our humanity is diminished when animals are subjected to needless suffering in the name of research. Congressman Cohen believes the federal government has a moral responsibility to ensure animals are treated humanely in all research, testing, and training programs.
He has supported legislative efforts to end unnecessary animal testing, promote humane alternatives, and improve oversight of federally funded research facilities. This includes cosponsoring the Humane Cosmetics Act, which would end cosmetic testing on animals, and supporting measures to advance human-based simulation technologies for medical and military training. Congressman Cohen believes we can advance science and innovation without sacrificing compassion.
More on Animal Welfare
WASHINGTON – Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-9), Dina Titus (NV-01) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) today re-introduced the Horse Transportation Safety Act that would ban the transportation of horses across state lines in “double decker” trucks or trailers containing two or more levels on top of one another.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) and 16 cosponsors today reintroduced the Prohibit Wildlife Killing Contests Act to stop the practice of rewarding hunters for killing animals on public land in contests that serve no legitimate wildlife-management purpose.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a longtime opponent of the intentional injury to horse legs and feet called soring to create an exaggerated gait at walking horse shows, today applauded the release of U.S.
WASHINGTON – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9), Jerry Nadler (NY-12) and Jared Huffman (CA-2) were joined by eleven other Members of Congress on a letter they sent today to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland requesting that the Department of the Interior (DOI) prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service’s Wildlife Services Program from using body-gripping traps on all DOI lands.
MEMPHIS -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a longtime member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, has once again received a “100 +” on the Humane Society of the United States 2023 legislative scorecard. The recognition accounts for Congressman Cohen’s actions, including critical votes, advancing the humane treatment of animals.
WASHINGTON — Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus who was awarded the Humane Society’s Humane Horseman of the Year last year, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) and Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16), today led 122 Congressional colleagues in a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to quickly finalize and publish the rule proposed on August 21 to strengthen enforcement of the 1970 Horse Protection Act to crack
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) traveled to Dulles International Airport this morning for the ceremonial send-off for the giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and their youngest cub, Xiao Qi Ji. Afterward, he made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Memphis officials will hold a press availability on Tuesday, October 31, to discuss the $3 million in federal Community Project funding the congressman secured for the Overton Park-Memphis Zoo Parking Solution Initiative.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a longtime advocate for ending the practice of horse soring – the intentional injury to horse legs to produce an exaggerated gait called the “Big Lick” – today applauded the U.S.
WASHINGTON -- Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-9), Dina Titus (NV-01) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) today re-introduced the Horse Transportation Safety Act that would ban the transportation of horses across state lines in “double decker” trucks or trailers containing two or more levels on top of one another.