Representative Cohen Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to End Cruel, Outdated VA Cat Experiments

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09) joined Reps. Dina Titus (NV-1), Brian Mast (FL-18) and 18 other House colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Cat Abuse in Testing Stops (CATS) Act to permanently end painful and unnecessary taxpayer-funded experiments on cats by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"As a proud and longstanding member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in an effort to end these abusive, inhumane and often deadly practices. There are alternative effective methods for conducting this research without resorting to experiments on cats."

The CATS Act builds on other efforts to stop unnecessary VA animal testing. The FY20 VA spending bill enacted last year restricted funding for the VA's testing on cats, dogs, and primates, and requested a phase-out plan for the use of these animals. The FY21 VA appropriations bill passed by the House in July 2020 also included a measure to de-fund VA's dog testing.

As a State Senator, Congressman Cohen sponsored Tennessee's T-Bo Law, named in honor of his beloved dog, who was killed by a neighbor's larger dog. The T-Bo Law was the nation's first-ever law allowing for victims to recoup damages beyond property valuation stemming from cases of intentional or negligent acts resulting in the death of a companion dog or cat. Congressman Cohen has had three cat housemates.

Congressman Cohen has been active in animal welfare issues since his days as a Tennessee state Senator. He currently has a 100 percent rating on his voting record on animal welfare issues from both the Humane Society of the United States and the Defenders of Wildlife.