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John Kerry's "WAR" Record
on Animal Welfare and Environmental Issues
With the election less than three month's away it should serve as
a reminder that there is a very HUGE difference in the two candidates
running for the highest office. Obviously no one would suggest that
one vote based simply on what a candidates position is on environmental
issues and with protecting and enforcing the Animal Welfare laws.
John Kerry has been a strong advocate and supporter of pro-animal
legislation throughout his political career. He has regularly scored
high ratings on The Humane Scorecard published by The Humane Society
of the United States and The Fund for Animals, most recently scoring
100+ during the 108th Congress.
Sen. Kerry was the co-author with former Sen. Bob Smith (R-NH) of
the successful effort to halt an annual $2 million subsidy for the
mink industry—terminating a taxpayer give-away to the corporate
mink industry. Kerry and Smith shepherded this amendment through
the Senate during debate on the Fiscal Year 1995 Agriculture Appropriations
Act, and they have repelled subsequent efforts by legislators aligned
with the mink industry to revive the taxpayer boondoggle.
Kerry has a notable record of cosponsoring animal friendly legislation,
including support of measures to combat cockfighting, bear baiting,
canned hunts, puppy mills, the bear parts trade, the exotic pet
trade, steel-jawed leghold traps, and the abuse of “downed”
livestock. Kerry has also exerted leadership in securing important
funds for animal protection.
In recent years, he and Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) co-authored
letters sent to the leaders of the Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture
Appropriations to increase funding for existing animal protection
laws, including the Animal Welfare Act and the Humane Slaughter
Act. Thanks in part to Kerry’s leadership—and his collaboration
with the powerful senior member of the Appropriations Committee,
Robert C. Byrd—the Congress has provided more than $26 million
in new funds for animal protection programs in recent years.
Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) plans to introduce
a modified version of his Puppy Protection Act in the near future.
The new version of the PPA will be virtually identical to the original,
except that it will not require setting “socialization standards”
for puppies.
The principal Senate co-sponsor of the PPA is expected
to be Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL). Legislation is also expected to
be introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ed Whitfield
(R-KY) and Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA).
The PPA is once again being promoted by the Humane
Society of the United States (HSUS). The PPA would amend the federal
Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to require the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) to regulate the breeding practices of dog
breeders covered by the Act, including the frequency and age at
which bitches are bred. It would also require the USDA to adopt
a punitive “three-strikes-and-you’re-out” enforcement
policy revoking the license to breed and sell dogs of persons who
commit three violations of the USDA’s regulations over an
eight year period.
Should Senator's Santorum and Durbin be successful in passing a
2005 version of the Puppy Protection Act it certainly stands to
reason having John Kerry in the oval office to sign the bill into
law will be a positive step towards adding some much needed firepower
to the war on puppy mills.
Here is a brief highlight of Kerry's Record on Animal Welfare &
Environmental Issues
From Humane Scorecard (HSUS and Fund for Animals):
**Co-sponsored Bill S.736 --making Animal Fighting a felony
**Co-sponsored S.1298 --Bill re. humane euthanasia of downers,
and banning human consumption of them
**Voted for amendment to prevent consideration of drilling in
ANWAR
**Voted for requiring DOD to protect endangered species (amendment
to S.1050)
**Voted for increased funds to USDA to improve enforcement of
federal animal fighting law
---He received a score of 100% from HSUS/Fund for Animals for
his votes on animal protection legislation.
From League of Conservation Voters:
Kerry voted pro-environment on the following:
**Climate-Stewardship Act (S.139) - to reduce global warming
**Voted against Arctic drilling and against off-shore drilling
**Voted for Superfund Tax (to clean toxic sites) and a Renewable
Fuel Liability waiver
**Voted for Amendment to hold off on changes to new source review
regulations (allowing more pollution) to evaluate impact on environment,
etc.
**Voted against giving addition subsidies to nuclear industry,
and
**Voted pro-environment on damaging water development project
at Devils Lake, ND, etc.
Historically, the Democratic Party has always included
protecting habitats and wildlife as key issues in their platform.
Compared to the current Bush Administration assault on our environment
lead by the many key lobbyist who have been taken it upon themselves
to virtually dismantle just about every aspect of the environment
including eliminating standards for the quality of the air we breathe,
water we drink and use for recreation, elimination of our wetlands,
failed to protect our national forests, reduced the regulations
of mountain top mining, and have turned their back on the thousands
of puppy mills who continue to exploit the farming of companion
pets.
Please remember to exercise your RIGHT to vote in the November election.
Only WE can make a difference and the animals are counting on us
to make the right choice.
Permission to crosspost - You have my permission to include the
information I had posted.
By20hounds@aol.com
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