Leader Pelosi Introduces Ranking Members (C-SPAN)

The House Democrats elected and re-elected Ranking Members of the House Committees. Most of the names of the Committee Ranking Members were released by Democratic Leader Pelosi. Some information (with links, including to the Members, their Committees, and highlighted legislation), which gives you an idea of where these leaders stand on key issues, including which legislation they have sponsored or co-sponsored, appears below:

With the exception of Rep. Peterson, the Ranking Members mentioned below all have strong records on animal-related issues, and good records on climate, environment, conservation, and natural resources. All Ranking Members highlighted below, except for Rep. Peterson, have 100% scores on the Humane Scorecard.

Agriculture: Rep. Peterson (D-MN). Rep. Peterson is considered a moderate Democrat from a fairly conservative agricultural district. In 2007, the district was “the nation’s top producer of sugar beets, turkeys and soybeans and is among the top ten districts in producing corn, wheat, layers, and hogs and pigs.” Rep. Peterson has co-sponsored several pieces of anti-environment legislation including: Waters of the US Overreach Protection Act; a bill to prevent EPA Administrator to regulate stationary sources of carbon emissions; and the Agriculture Conservation Flexibility Act. At the same time, he cosponsored the America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, Native American Seeds Protection Act, and Protect Our Prairies Act. He has co-sponsored several pieces of anti-animal protection legislation, including Lawful Ivory Protection Act and Cormorant Management and Natural Resources Protection Act. He did, however, cosponsor the PAST Act (protecting horses against soring). In previous Congresses, he cosponsored the Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act (opens imports for polar bears from Canadian kills), a bill to remove the grey wolf from ESA protection, and The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007, which added criminal penalties for engaging in animal fighting. He has a score of 12% on the Humane Scorecard.

Appropriations: Rep. Lowey (D-NY). Rep. Lowey generally supports legislation protection wilderness, supporting conservation, regulating green house gases, clean air and water. Some sample legislation includes: America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act; National Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act; and, BREATHE Act. Rep. Lowey has cosponsored several pro-animal pieces of legislation including: Horse Transportation Safety Act; Captive Primate Safety Act; Pet Safety and Protection Act; Big Cats and Public Safety Act; PAST Act (anti-soring of horses); Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act; Egg Products Inspection Act, SAFE Act (prohibiting sale, trade, or import of horses for consumption), and Resolution against gassing of animals at shelters. In past Congresses, she has supported legislation including American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act; and, Great Ape Protection Act. She also sponsored the Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act. She has a score of 100% on the Humane Scorecard.

Budget: Rep. Van Hollen (D-MD). Rep. Van Hollen frequently sponsors or cosponsors legislation protecting wilderness, supporting conservation, regulating green house gases, clean air and water. Some sample legislation includes: Healthy Climate and Family Security Act; America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act; National Forest Roadless Conservation Act; SUPER Act; Clean Water Protection Act; and, an Arctic Wilderness Act. Rep. Van Hollen has co-sponsored several pro-animal pieces of legislation including: Captive Primate Safety Act; Pet Safety and Protection Act; Egg Products Inspection Act; SAFE Act; and, PAST Act. In past Congresses, he has supported legislation including: American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act; Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act, Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act; and Great Ape Protection Act. He has a score of 100% on the Humane Scorecard

Energy and Commerce: Rep. Pallone (D-NJ). Rep. Pallone has a strong history of sponsoring and cosponsoring legislation protecting wilderness, supporting conservation, regulating green house gases, clean air and water. Some sample legislation he sponsored or co-sponsored includes: America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act; Clean Water Protection Act, an Arctic Wilderness Act, Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act, No New Drilling Act, Vegetables are Very Important Eating Tools for You, and National Forest Roadless Conservation Act. Rep. Pallone has co-sponsored several pro-animal pieces of legislation including Big Cats and Public Safety Act, Egg Products Inspection Act, SAFE Act, and PAST Act. In past Congresses, he has supported legislation including American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act. He has a score of 100% on the Humane Scorecard.

Judiciary: Rep. Conyers (D-MI) Rep. Conyers strongly supports legislation protecting wilderness, supporting conservation, regulating green house gases, clean air and water. Some sample legislation he sponsored or co-sponsored includes: America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act; Public Lands Service Corps; an Arctic Wilderness Act, Clean Water Protection Act, End Polluter Welfare Act, Vegetables are Very Important Eating Tools for You, Saving America’s Pollinators Act, Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act, and National Forest Roadless Conservation Act. Rep. Conyers has co-sponsored several pro-animal pieces of legislation including Captive Primate Safety Act, Big Cats and Public Safety Act, Humane Cosmetics Act, Pet Safety and Protection Act, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act, Egg Products Inspection Act, SAFE Act, and PAST Act. In past Congresses, he has additionally supported legislation including American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, Great Ape Protection Act, and Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act. He has a score of 100% on the Humane Scorecard.

Natural Resources: Rep. Grijalva (D-AZ) Rep. Grijalva, a dependent supporter of legislation protecting wilderness, supporting conservation, regulating green house gases, clean air and water. Some sample legislation he sponsored or co-sponsored includes: America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act; Public Lands Service Corps; End Polluter Welfare Act, Marine Turtle Restoration Act; Vegetables are Very Important Eating Tools for You; Healthy Climate and Family Security Act, Climate Change Education Act; Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act; an anti-Atrazine (pesticide) bill, Saving America’s Pollinators Act, an Arctic Wilderness Act, National Forest Roadless Conservation Act, Native American Seeds Protection Act, and Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act. Rep. Grijalva has co-sponsored most pro-animal pieces of legislation in the House including Captive Primate Safety Act, Big Cats and Public Safety Act, Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act; Animal Emergency Planning Act, Horse Transportation Safety Act, Humane Cosmetics Act, Egg Products Inspection Act, SAFE Act, Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act, Pet Safety and Protection Act, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act, Wildlife VET Act, Resolution against gassing of animals at shelters, and PAST Act (anti-soring of horses). He has a score of 100% on the Humane Scorecard.

Rules: Rep. Slaughter (D-NY) Rep. Slaughter supports legislation protecting wilderness, supporting conservation, regulating green house gases, clean air and water. Some sample legislation she sponsored or co-sponsored includes: Vegetables are Very Important Eating Tools for You, Saving America’s Pollinators Act, an anti-Atrazine (pesticide) bill, labeling GMO Fish bill, America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act; Public Lands Service Corps; an Arctic Wilderness Act, Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act, Clean Water Protection Act, Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act; End Polluter Welfare Act, and National Forest Roadless Conservation Act. Rep. Slaughter has co-sponsored several pro-animal pieces of legislation in the House this Congress including Captive Primate Safety Act, Big Cats and Public Safety Act, Horse Transportation Safety Act, Humane Cosmetics Act, Egg Products Inspection Act, Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act, SAFE Act, Pet Safety and Protection Act, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act, Resolution against gassing of animals at shelters, and PAST Act (anti-soring of horses). She has a score of 100% on the Humane Scorecard

Science: Rep. Johnson (D-TX) Rep. Johnson supports selected legislation protecting wilderness, encouraging conservation and clean water. Some sample legislation she sponsored or co-sponsored includes: Clean Water Protection Act, BREATHE Act, and National Forest Roadless Conservation Act. Rep. Johnson has co-sponsored many pro-animal pieces of legislation including Saving America’s Pollinators Act, Egg Products Inspection Act, Captive Primate Safety Act, Big Cats and Public Safety Act Humane Cosmetics Act, SAFE Act, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act, and PAST Act (anti-soring of horses). In past Congresses, she sponsored legislation including American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, Great Ape Protection Act and Bear Protection Act. She has a score of 100% on the Humane Scorecard

Transportation and Infrastructure: Rep. DeFazio (D-OR) Rep. DeFazio generally strongly supports legislation protecting wilderness, supporting conservation, regulating green house gases, clean air and water. He does support some legislation that transfers lands or management of lands from federal jurisdiction to state control, which can often lead to development. Some sample legislation he sponsored or co-sponsored includes: Saving America’s Pollinators Act, an anti-Atrazine (pesticide) bill, labeling GMO Fish bill, America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act; Rogue Wilderness Area Expansion Act, Public Lands Service Corps, an Arctic Wilderness Act, Clean Water Protection Act, BREATHE Act, and National Forest Roadless Conservation Act. Rep. DeFazio has co-sponsored several pro-animal pieces of legislation in the House this Congress including: Transparency for Lethal Control Act, Targeted Use Sanctions for Elephant Killing; Captive Primate Safety Act, Big Cats and Public Safety Act, Horse Transportation Safety Act, Humane Cosmetics Act, Egg Products Inspection Act, Pet Safety and Protection Act, SAFE Act, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act, Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act, Resolution against gassing of animals at shelters, and PAST Act (anti-soring of horses). He has a score of 100% on the Humane Scorecard

Ways & Means: Rep. Levin (D-MI) Rep. Levine generally supports legislation protecting wilderness, supporting conservation, regulating green house gases, clean air and water. Some sample legislation he sponsored or co-sponsored includes: Clean Water Protection Act, America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, an Arctic Wilderness Act, National Forest Roadless Conservation Act Rep. Levine has co-sponsored several pro-animal pieces of legislation including Captive Primate Safety Act, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act, Egg Products Inspection Act, a Resolution Supporting a National Rescue Day, SAFE Act, and PAST Act. In past Congresses, he has supported legislation including American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, a resolution to support ending commercial whaling, and Protect America’s Wildlife Act. He has a score of 100% on the Humane Scorecard