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Meng Receives Perfect Grade from Humane Society

February 3, 2014

Congresswoman one of only 25 Members of Congress to score a 100+ on organization’s scorecard

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) has received a 100+ percent rating from the Humane Society of the United States, the nation's leading animal rights organization.
Meng was awarded the top score in the group's annual Humane Scorecard which is used to rate Members of Congress on animal welfare issues. She was one of only 25 Members of Congress to receive a 100+. The score was calculated by the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the lobbying arm of the Humane Society.
"I am honored to be awarded the highest rating possible from one of the nation's top and most respected animal rights organizations" said Meng. "Working to pass animal protection laws to prohibit barbaric practices against animals critical, and I will continue to be a strong advocate for this important cause. I thank the Humane Society for its tireless work, and for recognizing my efforts to protect the well being of animals."
The scorecard rates Members of Congress on their votes and support for several pieces of legislation including:
• Horse Soaring
The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 1518) which cracks down on the cruel practice of "soring," in which trainers deliberately inflict pain on the hooves and legs of Tennessee walking horses and certain other breeds to exaggerate their high-stepping gait, and gain an unfair competitive advantage at horse shows.
• Eggs and Hen Housing
The Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (H.R. 1731) which provides for a uniform national standard for the housing and treatment of egg-laying hens that will significantly improve animal welfare. The measure also requires: clear labeling on all egg cartons to inform how the eggs were produced; prohibiting the starving of birds to manipulate their laying cycle; and curbing excess ammonia levels that cause respiratory problems.
• Animal Fighting Spectators
The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 366) which establishes misdemeanor penalties for knowingly attending an organized animal fight, and felony penalties for knowingly bringing a minor to such a fight.
• Horse Slaughter
The Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1094) which protects horses and consumers by prohibiting the transport and export of U.S. horses to slaughter for human consumption. American horses are not raised for food and are routinely given hundreds of drugs over their lifetimes that can be toxic to humans if ingested.
• Agriculture Subsidies
Amendment to the Farm Bill (H.R. 1947) that reforms the Environmental Quality Incentives Program by increasing access for farmers and eliminating payments to projects that do not show strong conservation benefits. The measure also provides greater support for farmers transitioning to organic farming and more environmentally friendly pest management practices.
• Farm Bill
Votes against the Farm Bill in June and July (the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 - H.R.1947) in which the House leadership refused to allow floor debate of any animal welfare amendments, including an effort to strike the dangerous and overreaching amendment sponsored by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) that aimed to gut state agriculture and animal welfare laws.
• Letter opposing King Amendment
Signing a letter to the House Agriculture Committee in August urging panel members to reject the King Amendment.
• Funding Letter
Signing a letter to the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee in April seeking funds for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and USDA positions through veterinary student loan repayment.
Meng also received extra credit for leading a letter to her colleagues in Congress that called for a ban on shark finning, an irresponsible practice driven by the shark fin trade that kills millions of sharks each year.
In addition to her support of the above items, Meng fought for the new law that bans shark finning sales in New York State.
Meng is a proud pet owner. Her dog Bounce resides with her and her family in Queens.