“I believe Americans overwhelmingly agree”
From the Office of Congressman Nick Langworthy,
Washington, D.C—May 21, 2026… Congressman Nick Langworthy is calling on Congress to prohibit federal funding for the breeding of dogs and cats intended for research experimentation as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations process.
In the attached letter submitted to House appropriators, Congressman Langworthy urged inclusion of language in the FY2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill that would explicitly bar taxpayer funding for the breeding of dogs and cats used in laboratory experimentation.
“I believe Americans overwhelmingly agree that taxpayer dollars should not be used to support the cruel breeding and invasive experimentation of dogs and cats,” said Congressman Langworthy. “We have a responsibility to ensure federally funded research reflects both modern scientific standards and basic humane treatment. As more advanced and effective alternatives become available, we should be moving away from outdated testing practices that inflict unnecessary suffering on innocent animals.”
Congressman Langworthy has become an outspoken advocate for ending federally funded invasive testing on dogs and cats following revelations involving facilities such as Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin breeder that engaged in barbaric treatment of thousands of beagles such as gouging out eyes, removing vocal cords, conducting surgeries without anesthesia, and more. He is also focused on shedding light on the clandestine operations at Marshall Farms in Upstate New York, the largest breeder in the nation that has also been reported for inhumane treatment.
Earlier this year, he called on the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health to immediately suspend federal funding connected to Ridglan Farms and phase out taxpayer support for invasive testing involving dogs and cats altogether.
In his appropriations request, Congressman Langworthy argued that prohibiting federal funding for breeding animals intended for experimentation would represent an important step toward modernizing biomedical research while reinforcing humane standards and restoring public trust. He remains committed to working with colleagues in Congress, animal welfare organizations, and federal agencies to advance policies that phase out invasive testing on dogs and cats and expand the use of alternative research methods.
