S1538119th CongressWALLET

Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Richard Blumenthal

Introduced

Summary

Stronger federal enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. The bill would expand who can enforce the law, give the Attorney General new civil enforcement powers, and add licensing, tougher penalties, and seizure authority to protect animals.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

New license rule for animal dealers

This bill would bar dealers and exhibitors from selling or transporting animals in commerce without a valid, unsuspended license. You would need that license to continue commercial activity.

Stronger federal animal enforcement powers

This bill would let the Attorney General sue in federal court to stop animal welfare violations. Courts could order removal or relocation of animals and issue warrants to seize animals. Penalties could be up to $10,000 for each violation for each day it continues. The government could recover reasonable transfer and care costs from the person whose actions led to a seizure. Fines collected would be used to pay temporary caretakers while cases are pending. The Agriculture Secretary would have to make an agreement with the Attorney General within 180 days to share timely information. Actions by the Attorney General would not limit the Secretary’s enforcement authority, and vice versa.

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Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Richard Blumenthal

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Kirsten Gillibrand

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/23/2025

  • Peter Welch

    VT • D

    Sponsored 6/23/2025

  • Jacky Rosen

    NV • D

    Sponsored 7/22/2025

  • Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 7/29/2025

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 7/29/2025

  • Tammy Duckworth

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/2/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 9/2/2025

  • Susan Collins

    ME • R

    Sponsored 9/15/2025

  • Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-7]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 9/15/2025

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/15/2025

  • Andy Kim

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/19/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 10/14/2025

  • Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 11/3/2025

  • Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/8/2025

  • Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 12/15/2025

  • Amy Klobuchar

    MN • D

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2025

  • Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 10/29/2025

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 11/5/2025

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 12/1/2025

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 10/20/2025

  • Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 10/20/2025

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 10/23/2025

  • Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • John Hickenlooper

    CO • D

    Sponsored 11/4/2025

  • Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 11/5/2025

  • Rep. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE-At Large]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 10/20/2025

  • Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2025

  • Chris Van Hollen

    MD • D

    Sponsored 10/27/2025

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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