Because I’m an individual, and not an organization, I can take this opportunity to endorse Mark Kirk.

I just heard one of this TV commercials, where he is described as an independent voter, and that people vote for the person and not the Party. I can say that is true in his case. I no longer live in his district. But if I did, I would vote to keep him in office. He is a member of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus. I didn’t know that until recently. But I did notice back in the summer of 2003 (after emailing him) that he was one of the very few Republicans that voted in favor of some major animal protection bills. I was so proud of him for voting (very noticeably against Party lines) for those bills.

I don’t know what his stances are on other issues. But I truly believe he votes his conscience, and is not in lock-step with the Republicans.

There are other Republicans on this bipartisan Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus, including at least one other Republican in Illinois who could lose. If members of that caucus lose, so will the animals. If members of that caucus lose, people should ask the newly-elected replacements to join the caucus.

Click here to see which Representatives are members of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus.

Click here to access the Humane Scorecard.

Belated update: Rep. Christopher Shays (CT) lost the election this year. He was the co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus. And the other co-chair, Tom Lantos (CA?) died last winter. So I consider that sad news and am wondering if those who are left will choose new co-chairs and/or keep on. (Both Shays & Lantos were two of three Congressional speakers at our “Washington Event” last year, when we unveiled & signed “A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion”.

Here’s a list of members of The Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus members.  I’m posting it, because it’s hard to find on the Internet.

If your Representative isn’t listed, please ask him/her to join this bipartisan caucus.

And here’s a site where you can see what kind of voting record your legislator has for animal protection legislation.

If your Representative has a bad score, please be sure to contact him/her whenever any animal protection legislation is coming up. HSUS’ and Farm Sanctuary’s sites both list local and national animal-related bills. And Best Friends has a good article with a link, about a new farm animal protection bill that apparently is currently with the Ag Committee. I’m sure it will be amended beyond recognition before it ever comes up for a vote, and wonder if there isn’t a conflict of interest leaving these kinds of issues up to the discretion of the Ag Committee.

See “Farm Animals Anti-Cruelty Act Congressional Hearing/Briefing Update” and the current text of H.R. 6202: Farm Animals Anti-Cruelty Act.

This should be upheld whenever an undercover investigation brings to light the unnecessary abuse (every time — not just random, isolated cases). And even without undercover investigations, the USDA or someone who could be appointed by every factory farm and slaughter house should report any abuse that they see. (Like the foxes guarding the hen house.) Wow. If abusers were actually subjected to such fines (the companies would probably have to pay, since the workers couldn’t), the meat industry would go broke. And if abuse would be found to be an every day occurrance, the government should stop subsidizing the industry.