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119-hres-985119th Congress

Expressing opposition to the use of onychectomy, also known as declawing, for elective surgery in cats.

Sponsored By: Representative Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

In Committee

Summary

This resolution would express federal opposition to elective declawing (onychectomy) of cats, arguing the practice is harmful to animal welfare and raises public health concerns.

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  • For cats and families: it says declawing is painful and linked to lifelong physical and behavioral harms, including chronic pain, litter-box aversion, biting, nerve damage, lameness, and permanent disability.
  • For veterinarians: it urges veterinary professionals to discourage elective declawing and says the procedure should be reserved only for medical necessity to treat a health condition, not for convenience or property protection.
  • For policymakers and public health: it urges state legislatures to consider bans, highlights an international and local trend of prohibitions, and cites health organizations that call declawing unnecessary for protecting human health while noting it may increase bite-related infection risk.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Urge states to ban cat declawing

If adopted, the House would urge State legislatures that have not banned onychectomy or tendonectomy to consider bans on animal welfare and public health grounds. The resolution would be advisory only and would not change state law. It would signal federal House opposition to elective declawing and could influence state policymaking.

House would oppose cat declawing

If adopted, the House would oppose declawing cats when done for looks or convenience. It would say declawing should only be done when medically necessary to treat an existing or recurring anatomical problem that jeopardizes a cat's health. It would encourage veterinarians to discourage elective declawing. The resolution would be advisory and would not itself ban the practice.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2026

  • Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/3/2026

  • Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/2/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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