The U.S. House of Representatives on March 19 voted 228-190 to approve legislation proposed by U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) that would protect animals used by federal law enforcement agencies. The bill advanced to the U.S. Senate on the same day.
The Federal Working Animal Protection Act, H.R. 4638, which Rep. Calvert sponsored in July 2025 alongside 14 GOP cosponsors, would make the assault of an animal used by federal law enforcement a deportable offense under Section 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Additionally, the bill would make applicants with such offenses on their record inadmissible to the United States under Section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
“I appreciate my House colleagues passing the Federal Working Animal Protection Act and joining me in standing up for our law enforcement animals who help keep Americans safe,” Rep. Calvert said last week in a statement.
“Coming to America is a privilege, not a right,” said the congressman, who added that anyone who assaults a law enforcement animal has no place in the United States.
Among the original cosponsors of H.R. 4638 are U.S. Reps. Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Michael Rulli (R-OH), and Don Bacon (R-NE).