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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

BAKERSFIELD, CA – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins at Allied Potato for a roundtable discussion on the challenges facing Central Valley farmers, ranchers, and producers. The event brought together agricultural leaders from across the region to discuss key industry priorities and celebrate USDA’s finalizing of the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program. This will provide $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers to help offset rising input costs and market disruptions—$625 million more than previously announced.

Prior to the roundtable, Congressman Valadao and Secretary Rollins toured Allied Potato, where they visited the potato fields and observed the processing and packaging operations that help feed families across the nation.

“Agriculture drives the Central Valley’s economy, and I was honored to welcome USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to Bakersfield for a discussion with local agricultural leaders today,” said Congressman Valadao. “For years, I’ve worked closely with producers across the Valley to address the challenges they face—rising input costs, workforce shortages, burdensome regulations, and the need for a stronger specialty crop safety net—and this conversation reinforced the importance of continued collaboration. As the sole dairy farmer in Congress, I understand these issues firsthand, which is why I was proud to join the Secretary as she announced USDA finalized $1.6 billion in assistance for specialty crop growers to help offset high costs and market disruptions. I appreciate her engagement with our local leaders, and I look forward to continuing to work with USDA on commonsense policies that support Central Valley agriculture and give producers the certainty they need to plan for the future.”

“Thank you Congressman Valadao, a leader on the House Commitee on Agriculture, for hosting an incredible roundtable today at Allied Potato here in your beautiful Bakersfield, California. Your extraordinary farmers, ranchers, and dairymen exemplify what it means to feed the country and the world,” said Secretary Rollins. “Everyday, the Trump Administration is putting Farmers First. As we announced after the roundtable, we are committed to ensuring the economic strength of our specialty crop operations as  we continue opening  new markets abroad and strengthening demand domestically for American produce. Congressman Valadao was critical to helping pass the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which is already helping over 63,000 California farms sell more agriculture products than any other state, protecting 2 million family farms from the death tax, increasing reference prices for the first time in more than a decade, and making the largest investment in rural America in history. And we are just getting started.”

“It was an honor to be asked by Congressman Valadao to host this important event with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. I appreciated the opportunity to welcome her to our farm, showcase Allied Potato’s operations, and share the important role California plays in potato production and exports. Many people are surprised to learn that California exports potatoes, and Allied Potato is proud to be the largest exporter in North America. The roundtable was extremely productive and provided a valuable forum to highlight the challenges and opportunities currently facing our agricultural producers. It was great to discuss these issues directly with Secretary Rollins, and I look forward to continuing the conversation about how producers and policymakers can work together to strengthen the Valley’s agricultural economy, expand our markets, and grow more products for consumers here and around the world,” said Jason Davenport, President and Owner, Allied Potato.

Attendees included representatives from the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, Wonderful Citrus, California Dairies, Inc., Milk Producer’s Council, California Citrus Mutual, Grimmway Farms, Western Tree Nut Association, Blue Diamond Almonds, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Farmworker Foundation, Family Tree Farms, Monte Vista Farming Company, and Cauzza Growers.

Click here for photos from today’s event.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – New Jersey Democratic leaders today thanked Governor Mikie Sherrill for her efforts to protect public safety and the rights of peaceful protestors after several days of clashes outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility, where ICE agents have repeatedly engaged with protesters, elected officials, and members of the public. 

The following statement was released by alongside U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, Analilia Mejia, Nellie Pou, Donald Norcross, and Herb Conaway: 

“We thank Governor Sherrill for her leadership in fighting to close Delaney Hall and working to protect New Jerseyans from ICE’s violent escalations. 

“We have seen first-hand what’s happening inside Delaney Hall: law-abiding immigrants, including, mothers and fathers of US citizens, pastors, and pregnant women, being denied health care, food and due process. This is an absolute abomination. We are proud to see so many New Jerseyans show up for their neighbors and friends to express their outrage. We will continue to support them as we raise our voices – together. 

“As Members of the New Jersey delegation, we will continue to hold the Trump Administration accountable for their unlawful cruelty and we won’t rest until Delaney Hall is closed for good.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) was joined by Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña and state and city leaders to highlight $1.2 million in federal funding she secured to upgrade the Joseph W. Casey and Daisy Street Bridges.
“These bridges carry more than 23,500 vehicles every day, connecting residents to jobs, schools, and opportunity, and they were crumbling. It took a community that refused to accept that, led by Lawrence High School students who organized and demanded action,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “With strong partners in Mayor DePeña, city leaders, and our state delegation, we secured $1.2 million to start the urgent repairs Lawrence deserves, and we are fighting for more.”
“These bridges are part of the daily life of Lawrence. They connect our neighborhoods, businesses, students, and families, which is why this funding matters so much. Today reflects what happens when local, state, and federal partners work together with a shared commitment to our community. I want to thank Congresswoman Trahan for her continued partnership, and I want to recognize the students from Lawrence High School whose advocacy helped bring attention to these projects. Your voices mattered. Lawrence keeps moving forward through partnership, community engagement, and investment in our future,” said Mayor DePeña.
The Lawrence Priority Bridge Improvement Project is funding urgent repairs to the Joseph W. Casey Memorial Bridge and Daisy Street Bridge, two critical corridors that carry more than 23,500 vehicles daily and provide essential access for residents, workers, and businesses. In March 2023, Congresswoman Trahan toured the Mario Lucchesi, Daisy, and Casey bridges as part of an infrastructure tour to identify projects that could be eligible for federal infrastructure investments.
Since the tour, Trahan has worked with city leaders and the Lawrence state delegation to secure $3.2 million in federal funding for the three priority bridges, including $2 million last year to advance the repair of the Mario Lucchesi Memorial Bridge. This year, she secured $1.2 million to make significant repairs to the Casey and Daisy Street Bridges.
This project will address major structural deficiencies, including deteriorated bridge decks, failing expansion joints, exposed rusting rebar, sidewalk damage, and concrete deterioration caused by water infiltration and Alkali-Silica Reaction. Funding will also support ADA-compliant sidewalk reconstruction, safer pedestrian crossings, and improved transit accessibility, benefiting the nearly 29% of Lawrence residents who rely on walking or public transportation.
“The Casey and Daisy Street Bridges have connected Lawrence residents for generations, and this investment is an important step toward preserving that connection for years to come. Safe, reliable infrastructure supports everything from public safety and mobility to economic growth and neighborhood vitality. I want to thank Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Mayor Brian DePeña, and everyone who helped advocate for this funding, including the students whose voices helped bring attention to these long-standing community priorities. I look forward to seeing this project move forward and the positive impact it will have on our city,” said State Senator Pavel M. Payano.“Investments like these help strengthen neighborhoods, improve quality of life, and ensure Lawrence residents can safely and reliably move throughout the community.”
“I was proud to join Congresswoman Trahan, Mayor DePeña, community members, and Lawrence High School students to celebrate $1.2 million in federal funding for the Casey and Daisy Street Bridges,” said Second Assistant Majority Leader Frank A. Moran. “I’m grateful for Congresswoman Trahan’s leadership to help secure these funds and appreciate her ongoing partnership to ensure that the residents of the Merrimack Valley are being provided for.”
“Strong infrastructure is critical to the safety and quality of life of Lawrence residents. I am grateful to Congresswoman Trahan for securing this federal investment and thank Mayor DePeña, Leader Frank Moran, community advocates, and the Lawrence High School students who helped bring attention to this important need,” said State Representative Estela Reyes.  
“These bridges are part of everyday life in Lawrence, and this funding will help make them safer for the people who use them every day. I want to thank Congresswoman Lori Trahan for helping bring these federal dollars home. I’m also incredibly proud of the Lawrence High School students who spoke up, got involved, and helped draw attention to this issue. Their work shows that young people can make a real difference when they get engaged in their community,” said State Representative Francisco Paulino.
To keep the momentum going, Trahan has also requested another $1.8 million federal investment to move these projects forward without burdening city residents.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Alayah Phipps

May 29, 2026                                                    202-813-2793

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF JAZZ LEGEND SONNY ROLLINS

U.S. Virgin Islands — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of saxophone legend Sonny Rollins:

“The world has lost one of the greatest jazz musicians of our time, and the Virgin Islands has lost one of its most celebrated sons. Sonny Rollins was born to parents who carried the spirit of these islands with them to New York City, and that spirit never left him. You could hear it in every note he played.

“From the streets of Harlem to concert stages around the world, Sonny Rollins transformed jazz into something deeply personal and alive. His 1956 masterpiece Saxophone Colossus, with its Caribbean-rooted ‘St. Thomas’, stands as one of the greatest recordings in American music history. He was a towering figure who played alongside Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk, and yet he always remained connected to where he came from.

“The Virgin Islands community takes deep pride in his legacy. He is proof of what our people carry within us—creativity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence that knows no limits. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, his loved ones, and the countless musicians and fans whose lives he touched. May he rest in eternal peace.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Alayah Phipps

May 29, 2026                                                    202-813-2793

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF COACH ARTHUR “JIMO” JAMISON

U.S. Virgin Islands — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of former Charlotte Amalie High School Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Arthur “Jimo” Jamison Sr.:

“The Virgin Islands has lost one of its great pillars. Coach Arthur ‘Jimo’ Jamison was more than a coach, he was a builder of people. For decades, he walked the halls and fields of Charlotte Amalie High School not simply to win games, but to shape young men and women into disciplined, driven, and purposeful human beings. His work was never just about athletics. It was always about life.

“Jimo arrived on St. Thomas in 1962 and made these islands his home and his mission. As athletic director, head football coach, and the Interscholastic Athletic Association’s territorial tackle football commissioner, he set a standard of excellence that extended far beyond any scoreboard. He saw potential in young people before they could see it in themselves, and he refused to let them settle for less.

“The stories of students he guided to college scholarships, of athletes he called back home to contribute to their community, of young people he steadied simply by being present are his true legacy. The Virgin Islands is full of doctors, educators, coaches, and professionals who carry a piece of Jimo with them every single day.

“To his children Tracey, Stacey, Arthur ‘Aree’ Jr., and Aixa, and to all who loved him, Jonathan and I extend our deepest condolences. Coach Jamison gave 91 years of life, and he used them well. May he rest in eternal peace.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Rep. Don Beyer today introduced the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, legislation that would prohibit President Trump’s proposed arch project, along with co-lead Rep. Dina Titus and 31 additional cosponsors. Beyer also pressed Trump Administration officials for details and studies on potential traffic impacts if construction proceeds.

Trump’s arch proposal relies on illegal manipulations of funding without congressional authorization and violates the Commemorative Works Act. As the Trump Administration makes spurious, absurd arguments to support proceeding with construction, Beyer’s legislation would explicitly prohibit and defund this and any similar projects. Rep. Beyer represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), and his parents, grandparents, and sister are buried there.

Here are some of the local and national news stories on Beyer’s efforts:

Washington Post: House Democrats Announce Bill To Block Construction Of Trump’s Arch

CNN: Rep. Beyer Joins Jake Tapper on The Lead To Discuss His Legislation

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined Rep. Sam Liccardo (CA-16) and a coalition of other Bay Area Members of Congress in formally demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) about delays endured by community members protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program as they try to renew their DACA applications. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) and Reps. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Mike Thompson (CA-04) also signed the letter.

“We urge you to accelerate processing, provide transparent updates, and shield applicants from enforcement actions while they await adjudication,” wrote the Members. 

This year, Bay Area congressional offices are each reporting 5-10 DACA delay cases per week, compared to almost none last year, and the caseload continues to grow. The DACA program protects undocumented young adults who came to the United States as children from deportation. DACA recipients must get their application renewed every two years to stay in the country and work.

 

“Across the Bay Area, DACA recipients are valued community members who support key industries, including healthcare, education, technology, and hospitality. When renewals lapse, DACA recipients face disruptions to employment, income stability, and daily life—effects that ripple beyond individual households into the broader regional economy,” continued the Members. “The consequences are already visible in our state: school districts are placing Dreamer educators on unpaid administrative leave mid-year, and other workers are missing shifts, because timely, properly filed renewals remain unadjudicated.”

The legislators explained that while USCIS currently reports a 3.5-month processing average, real-time data from the Members’ casework teams show that extensions that once took only a couple of weeks to process now stretch beyond five months. The agency completed 18% fewer cases in the second quarter of FY 2025 compared to the same period the prior year. 

A lapse in DACA authorization increases the risk of detention or deportation and leaves immigrant families in limbo. In the letter, the lawmakers also requested data about processing times in each Congressional District, explanations for the processing delays, and details about whether USCIS is sharing information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

 “[DACA recipients] build careers, raise families, and contribute to this country in good faith—fulfilling every obligation this government requires of them. USCIS must meet its obligations in return,” concluded the Members.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Secretary Mullin and Director Edlow,

We write to express concern about processing delays for renewal applications under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program across the Bay Area. We urge you to accelerate processing, provide transparent updates, and shield applicants from enforcement actions while they await adjudication.

In recent months, our offices noted a significant increase in processing times for constituents’ DACA renewal applications. Despite submitting complete and timely filings consistent with USCIS guidance, applicants endure prolonged adjudication periods that outlast their current grants of deferred action and work authorization. While USCIS currently reports a 3.5-month processing average, real-time data from our casework teams reveals times stretching beyond five months. The agency completed 18% fewer cases in the second quarter of FY2025 compared to the same period the prior year. This trend seeds widespread uncertainty for applicants and employers alike, particularly when USCIS withholds the causes of delays or expected resolution timelines.

Across the Bay Area, DACA recipients are valued community members who support key industries, including healthcare, education, technology, and hospitality. When renewals lapse, DACA recipients face disruptions to employment, income stability, and daily life—effects that ripple beyond individual households into the broader regional economy. The consequences are already visible in our state: school districts are placing Dreamer educators on unpaid administrative leave mid-year, and other workers are missing shifts, because timely, properly filed renewals remain unadjudicated.

In addition, a lapse in DACA increases the risk of detention or deportation by federal immigration officials. Between January and September 2025, at least 270 Dreamers across the country were arrested and 174 were deported. DACA recipients should not face such risk due to a pending renewal application due to processing delays out of their control.

We request written responses to the following questions no later than May 29th, 2026:

• District Data: List current average processing times and pending application totals for each of our districts.
• Operational Shifts: Detail specific policy, staffing, or procedural changes since January 20, 2025, that contributed to longer processing times.
• Lapse Impact: How many recipients in our districts have suffered an employment authorization lapse due to processing delays?
• Remediation: Outline the steps DHS and USCIS leaders plan to accelerate processing and reduce the backlog. What timeline governs the implementation of these steps?
• Enforcement Coordination: What information does USCIS share with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding expiration dates and renewal status?
• Custody Status: How many individuals in each of our districts who are experiencing pending renewals are facing detention, are in custody, or face removal?

Bay Area DACA recipients remain essential to the ecosystem of California and the United States. They build careers, raise families, and contribute to this country in good faith—fulfilling every obligation this government requires of them. USCIS must meet its obligations in return.

Sincerely,

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined fellow Ways and Means Committee members, Reps. Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Darin LaHood (IL-16), to introduce the Rental Housing Investment Act, a bipartisan bill that would modernize the tax code, lower construction costs, and create stronger incentives to build affordable rental housing.

“Although many people work in California’s 19th Congressional District, contributing so much to our economy and communities, many people can’t afford to live in our district due to the lack of affordable rental housing,” said Rep. Panetta. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Rental Housing Investment Act as a way to incentivize the development of new multifamily rental housing with deductions for upfront costs, which often prevent contractors from getting projects off the ground. This type of bipartisan legislation is a way in which the federal government can play its part to ensure more affordable housing for working families in our communities.”

“Southern California families are being priced out of their own communities,” said Rep. Sánchez. “Rents are climbing and there simply are not enough homes to meet demand. Our bill removes a real barrier to building more housing to give working families a shot at finding a home they can afford.”

“Families across New York and across the country are struggling under the weight of rising housing costs and a severe shortage of available rental housing,” said Rep. Tenney. “The federal tax code should encourage the construction of more housing, not stand in the way. This bipartisan legislation takes a practical, market-driven approach to expanding housing supply, reducing development costs, and helping make housing more affordable for hardworking Americans.”

“The shortage of affordable housing is a rural, urban, and suburban issue, impacting communities throughout central and northwestern Illinois,” said Rep. LaHood. “To address this growing crisis across the country, Congress must continue to advance legislation that drives investment into new affordable housing and expands housing options for hardworking Americans nationwide. I am proud to join my colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Rental Housing Investment Act to encourage the development of new affordable housing and lower costs for families.”

The United States is facing a persistent shortage of rental housing, particularly multifamily apartments. Construction has not kept pace with population growth, driving up rents and deepening the affordability crisis. A key barrier to new construction is the high upfront costs for building rental housing. Under current tax law, developers must recover those costs over 27.5 years, making many otherwise viable projects financially difficult, especially in a high-interest-rate environment.

The bill addresses this by modernizing cost recovery in the tax code and encouraging greater private investment in rental housing.

Specifically, the Rental Housing Investment Act would,

• Allow builders to immediately deduct up to $150,000 per unit in construction costs, rather than depreciating those costs over 27.5 years.
• Provide an enhanced deduction of up to $250,000 per unit for projects that include income-restricted units reserved for working families. Projects receiving the enhanced benefit would be required to maintain attainability commitments for at least 15 years.
• Apply only to newly constructed multifamily rental housing, ensuring the incentive creates new supply.
   

Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) previously introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Full text of the bill is available here.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV) and Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act to explicitly prohibit construction of President Trump’s proposed “Triumphal Arch” outside Arlington National Cemetery in Northern Virginia.  

Rep. Dina Titus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Humanities Caucus, who previously led challenges to the Trump Administration’s illegal schemes to fund the arch using the National Endowment for the Humanities budget, said:

“As President Trump strips away the necessary safety nets from Americans who are struggling to afford their basic needs like groceries and healthcare, he builds his unauthorized, grandiose Triumphal Arch. While destroying historical monuments and artifacts important to our American identity, he is erecting monuments to honor himself.

“I am fighting this abuse of taxpayer dollars with Congressman Beyer by introducing legislation that would clearly prohibit President Trump from using federal funds for pet projects like this one. The American people deserve a leader who is responsibly using federal funding for critical government services, not for self-promotion.”

Rep. Beyer who represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) said:

“Arlington National Cemetery is sacred ground, the resting place for some of our nation’s greatest heroes. It is unthinkable that we would desecrate this hallowed space to build a monument to Donald Trump’s ego.

“Trump’s vanity project would waste taxpayer money, brazenly violate existing law, and become yet another vehicle for his corruption. The Administration has also given no consideration to potential harmful effects on the region including impacts on air safety and traffic on major roadways.

“Worst of all, Trump is not trying to build this arch to commemorate national heroes, servicemembers who lie in Arlington National Cemetery, or to celebrate freedom. He did not dedicate it to the American people or our country’s greatness. Asked who this arch is for, Trump said, simply: ‘me.’ Congress must draw the line at dishonoring our fallen with such naked displays of narcissism, and I therefore call on all members of both parties to join our efforts to block this arch.”

Trump’s proposed arch is plainly illegal under the Commemorative Works Act, which requires congressional approval for memorials on federal land in or near Washington, DC. Underlining that the Arch is not approved by Congress as required by law, the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act would:

• Explicitly prohibit construction of a triumphal arch within Lady Bird Johnson Park, the small island between Arlington Memorial Cemetery and the Potomac River;
• Permanently prohibit the use of federal funds for such an arch; and
• Prohibit the construction of such an arch or similarly-disruptive and non-Congressionally approved structures on any National Park Service lands within the National Capital Region.

In addition to Titus and Beyer, the bill is cosponsored by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) and U.S. Representatives Robert Garcia (CA), Suhas Subramanyam (VA), Bobby Scott (VA), Dan Goldman (NY), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Steve Cohen (TN), Jasmine Crockett (TX), Danny Davis (IL), Dianna DeGette (CO), Lois Frankel (FL), John Larson (CT), Stephen Lynch (MA), Betty McCollum (MN), Morgan McGarvey (KY), Kevin Mullin (CA), Mike Quigley (IL), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA), Mark Takano (CA), Jill Tokuda (HI), Paul Tonko (NY), Rashida Tlaib (MI), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ).

Bill text is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

May 29, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced today the Law Enforcement Animal Safety Harm Reporting Act of 2026 or LEASH Act. This legislation would establish a standardized, publicly accessible database of felony animal cruelty offenders to help keep repeat abusers away from animals and strengthen public safety nationwide.
“Animal cruelty is a heinous crime that often signals a pattern of escalating violence,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “Florida has taken important steps to crack down on these crimes, and this legislation extends Florida’s model to better protect animals and help shelters place pets in safe homes.”
“Florida has proven to be a leader in legislation to prevent animal abuse.  We applaud and support the efforts of Congressman Steube in filing the LEASH Act, and the membership of the Florida Police Chiefs Association is hopeful that a nationwide animal abuse registry will track offenders, prevent future abuse and aide both law enforcement and the public.” – Chief Robert Bage, President of Florida Police Chiefs Association
“Animal cruelty is a serious crime, and law enforcement can help prevent repeated offenses to better protect animals and our communities through tools like public databases,” said Tracie Letterman, Vice President of Humane World Action Fund. “The LEASH Act is a commonsense measure to help ensure that people convicted of felony animal cruelty cannot evade scrutiny simply by crossing state lines. This voluntary program is a practical step Congress can take help to stop cruelty before it happens again.”
“The LEASH Act of 2026 gives another layer of protection for animals against abusers. This bill extends the work of Florida’s statewide aggravated animal cruelty database on the national stage. Florida’s database went live on January 1, 2026, but our work to protect the voiceless against the pain and suffering they endure from repeat animal cruelty offenders remains unfinished. The Ponce Animal Foundation applauds Congressman Steube for working to combat animal abuse and urges Congress and other states across the country to follow in Florida’s footsteps.” – Debbie Darino, President and Founder of The Ponce Animal Foundation
This legislation is also supported by the Florida Sheriffs Association. 
This bill is intended to strengthen enforcement against animal abuse, improve public awareness of felony animal cruelty offenders, and help prevent repeat offenders from continuing to own or care for animals.
The LEASH Act would add the identities of felony animal cruelty offenders to state crime reporting standards. The Department of Justice retains state-reported crime statistics through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The LEASH Act would require the DOJ to publish abuser identities in a centralized, publicly accessibly database to help pet shelters and other organizations identify abusers before they own an animal ever again.
Background: Animal cruelty offenses are frequently associated with repeat offending and broader patterns of violent criminal behavior. Studies have shown particularly high recidivism rates among individuals convicted of animal hoarding and chronic abuse-related offenses.
Florida’s aggravated animal cruelty database officially went into effect on January 1, 2026. The LEASH Act builds on efforts already underway in states like Florida and Tennessee by establishing standardized nationwide reporting while allowing states flexibility in how information is collected and submitted.
Read the full bill text here.