Beagle Brigade Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 759) to authorize the National Detector Dog Training Center, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: S. 759

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Beagle Brigade Act of 2023''. SEC. 2. NATIONAL DETECTOR DOG TRAINING CENTER.

(a) In General.--There is established a National Detector Dog Training Center (referred to in this Act as the ``Center'').

(b) Duties.--The Center shall have the following duties:

(1) Training dogs for the purpose of safeguarding domestic agricultural and natural resources from foreign and invasive pests and diseases.

(2) Training human handlers to successfully select and train dogs for the purpose described in paragraph (1).

(3) Collaborating with relevant Federal agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to safeguard domestic agricultural and natural resources.

(4) Collaborating with external stakeholders, including State departments of agriculture, local and county agricultural officials, private sector entities, and other relevant non-Federal partners.

(5) Ensuring the health and welfare of all dogs under the care of the Center, including by ensuring access to necessary veterinary care, adequate shelter, and proper nutrition.

(6) Providing opportunities for private adoption of retirement-age trained dogs and dogs that do not complete training.

(7) Any other duties necessary to safeguard domestic agricultural and natural resources from foreign and invasive pests and diseases, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. SEC. 3. REPORT.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, shall submit to Congress a report that contains--

(1) a description of current and emerging threats to domestic agricultural and natural resources from foreign pests and diseases within the purview of the operations of the Center;

(2) an examination of the role that the Center plays in the protection against foreign pests and diseases;

(3) a description of improvements needed in Federal programs to minimize threats from foreign pests and diseases within the purview of the operations of the Center, including strengthened coordination among the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other relevant Federal agencies;

(4) recommendations to strengthen the capabilities of the Center in protecting against foreign pests and diseases; and

(5) recommendations to improve--

(A) the dog procurement procedures of the Center; and

(B) private adoption opportunities for retirement-age trained dogs and dogs that do not complete training.

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. 759.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here to support this bill that we are now debating regarding the National Detector Dog Training Center.

This training center serves as an important line of defense in safeguarding America's agricultural and natural resources from harmful pests and diseases. The center in Georgia trains dogs and their handlers to detect prohibited agricultural items like fruits, vegetables, and meats.

These dogs and their handlers then serve at many of our border entry points to prevent such prohibited items from coming into our country and spreading dangerous pests and animal diseases that would have just devastating impacts on our domestic production, actually impacting our ability to feed ourselves, resulting in food insecurity, which affects national security.

While this bill simply codifies the training center that has been in existence since 1984, I am glad to see the center receive the recognition and prioritization it deserves.

I am happy to support this legislation that has been supported by Mr. Sanford Bishop. I also appreciate Representative Ferguson's leadership on this bill in bringing it to the floor. I thank him for his service to Georgia's Third Congressional District.
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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, once again, I am just very appreciative to all of the Members who provided the leadership on this piece of legislation. I think when folks hear the name of this bill, they wonder why Congress is dealing with this.

I mean, I kind of like the name actually, Beagle Brigade Act of 2023, but it is not a laughing matter. It is a serious matter. I appreciate the thought that it has and the due diligence that has been put into this bill and the construct of it in terms of really meeting the needs of our Nation.

I mean, it is worth repeating, the bill would officially authorize the existing National Detector Dog Training Center located in Newnan, Georgia. The center trains detector dogs, mostly beagles--not all beagles, but mostly beagles--and their U.S. Customs and Border Protection handlers to detect prohibited agriculture items like fruits and vegetables and meats that could carry foreign plant and animal pest and disease into the United States.

Once that happens, how rapidly those could spread can obviously seriously impact commodities within the United States and our agriculture industry, and quite frankly, the health and safety of our citizens.

Dogs and their handlers inspect international passenger baggage, mailed packages, and vehicles entering the U.S. The dogs are selected from animal shelters, rescue groups, and private owners. Those that do not complete the training, as well as retirement-aged, trained dogs are offered for private adoptions. The dogs are well cared for from beginning to end.

The bill would also require the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, to prepare a report to Congress no later than 1 year after the date of enactment, including a description of current and emerging pest and disease threats, the role of the center in protecting against those threats, and any recommendations for strengthening that role and the overall center.

As you can see, Mr. Speaker, it is a well-thought-out, comprehensive bill that is, I think, of strategic importance to our Nation.

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank those who put this bill forward. I think this example of this piece of legislation illustrates why it is commonly said that a dog is a man's best friend. It really fills an incredible niche here.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back balance of my time.

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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