Honoring our K9 Heroes Act
Sponsored By: Representative Fitzpatrick
Introduced
Summary
Creates federal grants to help pay medical care for retired Federal working dogs. The bill would add a new grants section to the Homeland Security Act that lets qualified nonprofits help cover some veterinary costs for retired Federal law enforcement and military dogs and would authorize $1.0 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030.
Show full summary
- Retired dogs and handlers: Retired Federal working dogs that have a retirement letter and are in the care of their handler would become eligible for assistance that covers a portion of medical expenses.
- Nonprofit organizations: Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, exempt from tax, with at least a two-year history providing medical care assistance to retired Federal working dogs.
- Program details: The Secretary of Homeland Security would run the grant program, set application requirements, and enter agreements with grantees to pay part of covered medical costs.
*Would authorize $1.0 million annually for FY2026–2030, increasing federal spending by about $5.0 million over that period.*
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Help with vet bills for retired federal K-9s
If enacted, DHS would run a grant program to help pay medical care for retired federal working dogs. 501(c)(3) nonprofits with at least two years of helping these dogs could apply. Grants would cover a portion of vet bills, and DHS would set application rules and deadlines. A dog would need a retirement letter from its former federal employer and be in its handler’s care. The bill would authorize $1 million each year for 2026 through 2030.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Cosponsors
Quigley
IL • D
Sponsored 5/1/2025
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Gottheimer
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/17/2025
Vindman
VA • D
Sponsored 7/2/2025
Gillen
NY • D
Sponsored 10/10/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Tran
CA • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Mace
SC • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Titus
NV • D
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Luna
FL • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Brownley
CA • D
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Stefanik
NY • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Salazar
FL • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Smith (NJ)
NJ • R
Sponsored 2/17/2026
Lawler
NY • R
Sponsored 2/17/2026
Miller-Meeks
IA • R
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Van Orden
WI • R
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Crank
CO • R
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Lee (NV)
NV • D
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Van Drew
NJ • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Fallon
TX • R
Sponsored 3/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in