Pass the FIGHT Act!

📌 What the FIGHT Act Is

The FIGHT Act (also seen as S. 1454 in the Senate and corresponding House legislation) is bipartisan federal legislation aimed at strengthening national laws against animal fighting — especially dogfighting and cockfighting.

🧠 Goal

The Act’s core purpose is to enhance enforcement and close loopholes in existing animal-fighting laws, which currently prohibit breeding, staging, and attending such fights but have limitations in practice.

📋 Key Provisions

Under the FIGHT Act, Congress would amend federal law (the Animal Welfare Act) to:

Ban gambling and simulcasts on animal fights
— This covers not just fights within the U.S. but also broadcasts originating abroad when targeted at U.S. audiences.
Stop shipment of mature roosters via U.S. mail
— Targeting cockfighting supply channels (shipping baby chicks used in legitimate poultry operations would not be affected).
Enable private lawsuits (citizen suits)
— After notifying law enforcement, private citizens (e.g., property owners) could bring civil actions to shut down illegal animal fighting operations, helping supplement government enforcement efforts.
Enhance forfeiture provisions
— Expand what property can be forfeited in connection with animal-fighting crimes — potentially including real estate where fights occur.

🐾 Broader Context

Animal fighting is already criminalized under federal law (7 U.S.C. § 2156), which makes staging these fights and attending them illegal if they involve interstate commerce. However, enforcement challenges and ongoing activity in some areas have prompted advocates and lawmakers to push for more effective tools.

🏛️ U.S. Senate — FIGHT Act Sponsors & Cosponsors

The Senate version of the FIGHT Act (S. 1454) has multiple bipartisan sponsors. These members have formally signed on to the bill as of its referral to committee:

Lead Sponsors

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) — primary sponsor
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) — co-sponsor with Kennedy

Additional Senate Cosponsors Include:

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE)
Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)
Sen. Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

This reflects a strong bipartisan coalition in the Senate backing the bill.

🏛️ U.S. House of Representatives — FIGHT Act Sponsors & Cosponsors

The House version of the bill (H.R. 3946) was introduced with bipartisan support and has a list of initial cosponsors. The lineup below is compiled from reporting on early bill activity; the list may have expanded since initial filing, as more Representatives are being urged to join:

Lead House Sponsors:

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) — House lead sponsor
Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR) — House lead sponsor

Reported Cosponsors in the House (partial list):
(Note: this list is based on press coverage at introduction and may not be exhaustive)

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Rep. James McGovern (D-MA)
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL)
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL)
Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV)
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)
Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX)
Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO)
Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC)
Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH)
Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH)
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) — noted as a co-sponsor from SC
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA)
Additionally, several others are often highlighted in early lists, such as Reps. Kean (R-NJ), Carey (R-OH), Crockett (D-TX), Jackson (D-IL), Van Drew (R-NJ), Goldman (D-NY), Sanchez (D-CA), Barragán (D-CA), and others in initial press coverage; these reflect the broader bipartisan support pattern at introduction.

📊 Summary of Congressional Backing

Senate: ~11 bipartisan senators spanning both parties signed onto the FIGHT Act.
House: A bipartisan coalition of Representatives have cosponsored the bill, with dozens listed at introduction.

Tell your Congressional and Senate leaders to support the FIGHT Act and take a stand against organized animal cruelty.

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