Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Mr. Chair, as co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I rise in support of my amendments that are included in this en bloc.

My amendments build on the progress that Congress has already made to modernize Federal research practices, reduce unnecessary animal suffering, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.

The first provision would prohibit the FDA from using taxpayer funds to issue or finalize new guidance documents that recommend or require dog testing for human drugs or medical devices.

More than 3 years ago, Congress ended the FDA's century-old animal testing mandate. Yet, the agency continues to rely on outdated guidance and, in some cases, issues new guidance that pressures companies to unnecessarily conduct tests on dogs before products can be moved to human trials.

Modern, human-based technologies, including organs-on-chips and other advanced testing methods, are often faster, more accurate, and more predictive of human outcomes than traditional dog testing.

The second provision would prohibit USDA funding for significantly painful research on dogs and cats conducted through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Americans love their pets. They are members of our families. Taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize painful experiments on dogs and cats when Congress and Federal agencies have already recognized that these practices should be restricted.

During President Trump's first administration, USDA closed its last remaining cat experiment lab. Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs have already acted to restrict painful dog and cat testing, and the Department of Defense has likewise ended funding for these practices. This week, we saw EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, our former colleague, announce the goal of eliminating all animal testing by his agency by 2035.

My amendments promote better science, greater accountability, and more humane treatment of animals. They reflect the growing bipartisan consensus that we can advance medical innovation while reducing animal suffering and using taxpayer dollars more responsibly.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendments.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source