WASHINGTON – The Humane Society of the United States today named Congressman Vern Buchanan “Legislator of the Year,” making him the only member of the U.S. House ever to win the prestigious award twice.
He was the first member of Congress from Florida to win the honor in 2015. The award was established nearly two decades ago.
Buchanan said he was honored to be recognized for his 2019 leadership and record on animal welfare issues. “Preventing animal cruelty and protecting threatened wildlife are bipartisan issues that we can all get behind,” he said. “I’m humbled to have been able to help pass important legislation that will protect animals across the country from abuse. Whether it’s protecting endangered species like Florida’s beloved manatees from extinction, banning the torture of pets or ending the cruel and inhumane treatment of horses, I’m honored to fight in Congress on these important issues.”
Last year marked Buchanan’s most successful year to date for his animal welfare agenda with multiple bills that he introduced signed into law, the crowning achievement of which being the PACT Act. The PACT Act banned extreme forms of animal cruelty and torture, the nation’s first federal animal cruelty law. Buchanan’s RAWR Act which allows the State Department to offer rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of wildlife traffickers around the globe was also signed into law last year.
Humane Society Legislative Fund President Sara Amundson praised Buchanan saying, “During these challenging times, Representative Buchanan continues to show the best of true congressional leadership by passing laws to protect pets and wildlife and championing the interests of all animals. His sponsorship of the path-breaking federal law, the PACT Act, will ensure that perpetrators of extreme animal cruelty face severe federal penalties. History is replete with examples of criminals who hurt animals only to escalate to hurting humans, so bringing to justice those who commit unspeakable acts of violence against innocent animals will make the world safer for everyone.”
In 2019, Buchanan earned a perfect score from the U.S. Humane Society for his record protecting wildlife and preventing animal cruelty. Among the 535 members of the U.S. House and Senate, Buchanan was one of only 34 members to earn a 100+ score. A score of 100+ indicates pro-animal positions on all scored items in addition to leadership on pro-animal issues.
Buchanan, who co-chairs the Animal Protection Caucus in Congress, is a leading advocate for protecting endangered species and ending animal cruelty, introducing and co-sponsoring dozens of important animal measures. He introduced an amendment to a government funding bill to protect endangered African lions and elephants by banning the importation of their dead carcasses into the United States to be mounted as trophies. Additionally, Buchanan introduced legislation to permanently ban the transport of horses to slaughterhouses in Mexico to be sold as a delicacy around the world with Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).
In 2018, Buchanan’s bill banning the slaughter of cats and dogs for human consumption was signed into law.
Buchanan is also a leader in animal welfare issues unique to Florida. He urged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to withdraw its decision to weaken protections for the manatee under the Endangered Species Act and called for the designation of a critical habitat for the endangered panther, Florida’s state animal. Buchanan also successfully lobbied the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to list the Gulf of Mexico whale on the endangered species list.
