Wayne Allard: “I appreciate your help addressing a long-standing concern of mine--the need for greater enforcement by USDA of the…”

“I appreciate your help addressing a long-standing concern of mine--the need for greater enforcement by USDA of the Federal law regarding animal fighting. Earlier this year, I and many of our colleagues--a bipartisan group of 38 other Senators--requested $800,000 to enable USDA's Office of Inspector General to focus on strengthening enforcement of the Federal animal fighting law. I am grateful that you were able, in the committee report, to include this $800,000 for the OIG to improve enforcement in this area. However, I did want to ask the chairman for a bit of clarification on this item, as it was included in the committee report. I noted that the report provides 'an increase of $800,000 for OIG to address violations of the Animal Welfare Act and to coordinate with State and local law enforcement personnel in this effort.' Would the chairman be willing to clarify that this funding would be used specifically to improve enforcement of Section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act, which deals exclusively with animal fighting, rather than having these funds used to enforce the entire Animal Welfare Act? This clarification could be finalized in conference.”