Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Malliotakis
Introduced
Summary
Stronger federal enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. This bill would require valid licenses for dealers and exhibitors, expand enforcement tools for federal prosecutors and the Secretary of Agriculture, and allow larger fines and animal seizure to stop ongoing harms.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
License needed to trade or show animals
Dealers and exhibitors would need a valid, unsuspended USDA license to buy, sell, show, or transport animals in commerce. Unlicensed or suspended operators would have to stop these activities. This would take effect upon enactment.
Higher federal penalties for animal violations
The Attorney General would be able to sue in federal court to stop Animal Welfare Act violations. Courts could order animal removal or relocation and revoke licenses. Civil fines could be up to $10,000 for each violation for each day it continues. Animals involved could be seized and forfeited. People whose acts led to a seizure could be charged reasonable transfer and care costs. USDA and the Justice Department would set an information‑sharing agreement within 180 days of enactment.
Payback for temporary animal caregivers
If you temporarily care for an animal while a case is pending, you could be repaid for reasonable costs. Money would come from fines or penalties the government collects. Only reasonable and necessary costs would be paid.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Malliotakis
NY • R
Cosponsors
Quigley
IL • D
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Reschenthaler
PA • R
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Davids (KS)
KS • D
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Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Sponsored 5/5/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Deluzio
PA • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Dingell
MI • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
McCollum
MN • D
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Pettersen
CO • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Frost
FL • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Perez
WA • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Peters
CA • D
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Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
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Sherman
CA • D
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Sherrill
NJ • D
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Sykes
OH • D
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Lawler
NY • R
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LaLota
NY • R
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Himes
CT • D
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Foushee
NC • D
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Goldman (NY)
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Lynch
MA • D
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Moulton
MA • D
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Schweikert
AZ • R
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Schneider
IL • D
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Carey
OH • R
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Brownley
CA • D
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Jayapal
WA • D
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Keating
MA • D
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Chu
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Foster
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Strickland
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Ruiz
CA • D
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Kennedy (NY)
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Mrvan
IN • D
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Neal
MA • D
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Tokuda
HI • D
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Beyer
VA • D
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Thompson (MS)
MS • D
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Barragan
CA • D
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Magaziner
RI • D
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Gottheimer
NJ • D
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Levin
CA • D
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Thompson (CA)
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DeSaulnier
CA • D
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Van Drew
NJ • R
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Huffman
CA • D
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Omar
MN • D
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DeGette
CO • D
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Soto
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Buchanan
FL • R
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Pou
NJ • D
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Carter (LA)
LA • D
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Scott, David
GA • D
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Scholten
MI • D
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Takano
CA • D
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Mullin
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Gomez
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Escobar
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Friedman
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Johnson (GA)
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Carson
IN • D
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Meng
NY • D
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McGarvey
KY • D
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Vasquez
NM • D
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Ryan
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Titus
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Stanton
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Goodlander
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NC • D
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Vindman
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Calvert
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Ramirez
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Crow
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Norcross
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Ciscomani
AZ • R
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McClain Delaney
MD • D
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Schrier
WA • D
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Evans (PA)
PA • D
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Lee (NV)
NV • D
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Swalwell
CA • D
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Morelle
NY • D
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Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
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Meuser
PA • R
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Amo
RI • D
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Tlaib
MI • D
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Ansari
AZ • D
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Walkinshaw
VA • D
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Correa
CA • D
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Mfume
MD • D
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Wasserman Schultz
FL • D
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Beatty
OH • D
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Gillen
NY • D
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Simon
CA • D
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Raskin
MD • D
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Mace
SC • R
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Carbajal
CA • D
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Gimenez
FL • R
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Harder (CA)
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Doggett
TX • D
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Khanna
CA • D
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Scanlon
PA • D
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Watson Coleman
NJ • D
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Tonko
NY • D
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Boyle (PA)
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Krishnamoorthi
IL • D
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Kim
CA • R
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McIver
NJ • D
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Budzinski
IL • D
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Dean (PA)
PA • D
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Elfreth
MD • D
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Thanedar
MI • D
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Trahan
MA • D
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Bishop
GA • D
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Bonamici
OR • D
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Lee (PA)
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Smith (NJ)
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McBride
DE • D
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Jackson (IL)
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McGovern
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Bynum
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Espaillat
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Subramanyam
VA • D
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McDonald Rivet
MI • D
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Gonzalez, V.
TX • D
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Pingree
ME • D
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Menendez
NJ • D
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Stevens
MI • D
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Fletcher
TX • D
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Lieu
CA • D
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Sorensen
IL • D
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Landsman
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Smith (WA)
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Cleaver
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Kean
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Neguse
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Torres (CA)
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Hoyer
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Tran
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Castor (FL)
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Pappas
NH • D
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IL • D
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Garcia (TX)
TX • D
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Hayes
CT • D
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Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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