Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-10522119th CongressWALLET
Companion Animal Protection Against Cruel Testing Act
Sponsored By: Representative Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would prohibit the obligation or expenditure of Department of Health and Human Services funds for biomedical research involving live dogs and cats. It would pair that ban with a new compliance system of pre‑funding certifications, audits, reporting, and penalties.
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- Research institutions and HHS agencies: Would stop NIH, CDC, FDA, ARPA‑H, BARDA, AHRQ, and other HHS offices from funding biomedical studies that use live dogs or cats. Recipients would need to certify compliance before awards and recertify each year.
- Compliance, oversight, and penalties: Requires records and gives the Secretary, the HHS Office of Inspector General, and the Comptroller General audit and access powers. Violations can lead to withholding of funds for up to three years, recovery of funds, and suspension or debarment.
- Transparency and animal welfare: Requires a public annual report to Congress on certifications, audits, funding actions, and the welfare and rehoming of dogs and cats used in research, and a Government Accountability Office review of implementation due within three years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.
Funding penalties and debarment rules
If enacted, the Secretary could withhold further funding, recover federal funds spent in violation, and impose administrative remedies after written notice and a chance to respond. The Secretary could also start suspension or debarment proceedings for recipients who knowingly or repeatedly violate the Act, making them ineligible for covered federal funds for the period set in the debarment. The Secretary may also refer matters to the Department of Justice for civil or criminal enforcement when appropriate.
New grant certification and record rules
If enacted, applicants for covered federal funding would have to certify before funds are awarded that they will not use the money for covered dog or cat research. Recipients would recertify each year and must notify the Secretary within 30 days if they learn of a violation or a materially false certification. Recipients would have to keep records proving compliance for at least six years. The Secretary, HHS OIG, and the Comptroller General would have access to facilities, personnel, and records subject to legal protections.
Ban on HHS-funded dog and cat research
If enacted, the bill would bar HHS agencies from obligating or spending federal funds for any biomedical research that uses live dogs or cats. The ban would cover buying, breeding, transporting, housing, experimental procedures, data support, and related overhead. It would apply to NIH, CDC, FDA, ARPA-H, BARDA, AHRQ, and other HHS research offices and to anyone receiving or seeking federal research funds. The rule would apply only to funds obligated or expended 180 days after enactment.
Protections for research whistleblowers
If enacted, the bill would bar recipients from retaliating against people who report suspected violations, give information to inspectors, participate in investigations, or refuse to take part in violating work. The Secretary would set up complaint procedures to receive and resolve retaliation claims. If retaliation is found, the Secretary could require remedies such as reinstatement as a condition of continued funding.
Reporting, waivers, and GAO review
If enacted, the Secretary would send an annual public report to two congressional committees within 180 days after each fiscal year ends and post it on HHS's website within 30 days. The report would include counts of applications reviewed, certifications, awards withheld, audits and investigations, animal rehoming status, funds recovered, and recommendations. The Comptroller General would review implementation and report within three years of the Act's effective date. The Secretary could issue emergency waivers only for public health, national, or national security emergencies when no valid alternative exists; waivers would last up to 180 days and the Secretary must notify Congress within 15 days with detailed justification and projected cost.
Rules for retiring research dogs and cats
If enacted, recipients that no longer need research dogs or cats would have to make reasonable efforts to retire, adopt, or transfer them to accredited sanctuaries, rescue groups, or adoption programs. Those transfers must follow veterinary judgment, protect public safety, and comply with law. Euthanasia would be allowed only if a licensed veterinarian determines it is necessary for medical, behavioral, animal welfare, or public safety reasons.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
NY • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]
TX • D
Sponsored 10/1/2026
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 10/1/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 10/1/2026
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
CA • D
Sponsored 11/2/2026
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
MA • D
Sponsored 10/15/2026
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
NY • R
Sponsored 10/15/2026
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 10/15/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 10/22/2026
Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/22/2026
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/22/2026
Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]
AZ • R
Sponsored 10/26/2026
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
WI • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]
FL • R
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
FL • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
TX • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]
FL • R
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]
NJ • R
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov