Introduction
The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, which had already been approved by the House, was finally passed in the Senate on November 5th, 2019. The act made it a federal crime to intentionally crush, burn, drown, suffocate, impale, or otherwise subject animals to serious harm. Anyone found guilty of animal cruelty under the PACT Act would face fines and up to seven years in prison. The PACT Act serves as a crucial tool in the prevention of animal cruelty, an issue that concerns millions of Americans. However, the PACT Act was not supported by all senators, as evidenced by the final vote count (91-8). For those impacted by animal welfare, knowing which senators voted against the PACT Act is important in understanding how our elected representatives are addressing this issue. This article explores the senators who voted against the PACT Act, why they did so, and what this means for the future of animal-related legislation.
Breaking Down the PACT Act Vote: Senators Who Voted Against It
The eight senators who voted against the PACT Act are:
- Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
- Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN)
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
- Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO)
- Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS)
- Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
- Sen. James Risch (R-ID)
- Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA)
Each of these senators has his or her own views on animal rights and animal-related legislation, which should be taken into account when analyzing their decision to not support the PACT Act.
Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Sen. Blackburn, who is known for being an ally to the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, expressed concern that the PACT Act could be used to unjustly target horse trainers who use certain training techniques, like soring, to produce the high-stepping gait for which the breed is known. Blackburn claimed that “the noble Tennessee Walking Horse” was a victim of the PACT Act and that it was “overbroad and overreaching.” She also stated that she was working on reintroducing another bill that would address animal cruelty without criminalizing “normal animal husbandry practices.”
Mike Braun (R-IN)
Sen. Braun, who was elected to the Senate in 2018, has a mixed record when it comes to animal welfare. According to the Animal Welfare Institute, he voted in favor of the 2018 Farm Bill, which included measures to protect animals from cruelty, but he did not support a 2019 amendment to the Farm Bill that would have banned the use of traps and snares on public lands. Braun, who owns a trucking company, has also been criticized by animal rights groups for not adequately protecting livestock transported by his company. Regarding his decision on the PACT Act, Braun stated that he believed the bill “was not very well thought out” and that he was concerned about the scope of federal jurisdiction over animal cruelty cases.
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Sen. Cruz, who has a mixed record on animal rights and welfare, expressed concern that the PACT Act could be used to “target hunters, ranchers, and farmers.” He stated that he would “strongly support” animal abuse being treated as a crime, but he was not convinced that the PACT Act was the best way to achieve that goal. Cruz has supported bills in the past that would protect animals from cruelty, but he has also voted against environmental protections that would indirectly safeguard animal habitats.
Josh Hawley (R-MO)
Sen. Hawley, who is a freshman senator and a strong conservative, stated that while he agreed with the sentiment of the PACT Act, he believed that it was too broad and could have unintended consequences, like impacting free speech. Hawley expressed concern that films, art, and even hunting could be interpreted as animal cruelty under the bill’s language. He has supported other animal-related bills in the past, such as one that would increase punishment for animal fighting and another that would ban animal abuse on federally-owned properties.
Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Sen. Moran, who co-sponsored the Animal Emergency Planning Act, did not provide a statement explaining his vote on the PACT Act. He has been supportive of animal-related bills in the past, such as one that would have increased funding for programs that spay and neuter cats and dogs.
Rand Paul (R-KY)
Sen. Paul, who is a libertarian, expressed concern that the PACT Act would increase the federal government’s power and infringed on states’ rights. He stated that he opposed animal cruelty and supports the prosecution of people who engage in it, but he believes that it is a state matter. Paul has previously voted against bills that would protect animal habitats and against environmental regulations that would prevent water pollution.
James Risch (R-ID)
Sen. Risch, who serves on the Environment and Public Works Committee, did not provide a statement explaining his vote on the PACT Act. He has had a mixed record when it comes to animal-related legislation, supporting some bills and opposing others.
Pat Toomey (R-PA)
Sen. Toomey, who is known for his conservative views, did not provide a statement explaining his vote on the PACT Act. However, he has supported other animal-related bills, such as one that would increase the penalties for animal fighting.
Why Some Senators Chose to Reject the PACT Act: Examining the Reasons Behind the Vote
While the PACT Act enjoyed widespread support in the Senate (91 senators voted in favor of it), some senators chose to reject the act for a variety of reasons.
Analyzing the Reasons Cited by the Senators Who Voted Against the PACT Act
The senators who voted against the PACT Act cited various reasons for their opposition, ranging from concern about overreach to the bill’s language being too vague.
Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Sen. Blackburn stated that the PACT Act would do more harm than good by potentially impacting horse trainers and practitioners of animal husbandry.
Mike Braun (R-IN)
Sen. Braun claimed that the PACT Act was not well-constructed, was not in line with other animal welfare legislation, and expanded the scope of federal government too much.
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Sen. Cruz expressed concern that the PACT Act would be used to infringe on the rights of hunters, farmers, and ranchers.
Josh Hawley (R-MO)
Sen. Hawley stated that he appreciated the sentiment behind the PACT Act but believed that its language was overbroad and could have unintended consequences.
Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Sen. Moran did not provide a statement explaining his vote on the PACT Act.
Rand Paul (R-KY)
Sen. Paul expressed concern that the PACT Act would infringe on states’ rights and increase the power of the federal government.
James Risch (R-ID)
Sen. Risch did not provide a statement explaining his vote on the PACT Act.
Pat Toomey (R-PA)
Sen. Toomey did not provide a statement explaining his vote on the PACT Act.
Assessing the Validity of Their Arguments
While the senators who voted against the PACT Act did raise valid concerns, many animal rights activists and advocates argue that these concerns were misplaced and the PACT Act was a necessary step in protect animals from cruelty. For example, the language cited by senators like Hawley and Blackburn as being too broad was actually intended to prevent loopholes that could allow people to escape prosecution for obviously cruel acts.
Defying Expectations: Senators Who Did Not Support the PACT Act
There were also a number of senators who did not vote for or against the PACT Act. Some of these senators may have abstained because they were not present during the vote or had conflicts of interest, but others, like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), did not vote because they were campaigning for president. While their absence did not prevent the PACT Act from being passed, their lack of vote may indicate a lack of prioritization of animal rights issues.
What the PACT Act Vote Reveals About the Division Among Senators
The PACT Act was a highly contentious issue, as the vote breakdown suggests. While the act ultimately passed with a large majority, the fact that eight senators voted against it and others abstained from voting indicates that there is still significant disagreement among elected officials about how animal rights should be protected.
Statistics and Insights on the Voting Breakdown
Of the eight senators who voted against the PACT Act, all were Republicans. Additionally, only two of the senators who voted against the act, Blackburn and Paul, had consistently opposed animal-related legislation in the past. The fact that many of the senators who voted against the PACT Act had a mixed record on animal welfare suggests that the issue is not necessarily partisan but is instead influenced by individual views and experiences.
The Political Implications of the PACT Act Vote: Analyzing the Fallout
The passing of the PACT Act was widely seen as a victory for animal rights activists and advocates, but the fact that eight senators voted against the act and others abstained suggests that there may be political ramifications for the future.
Assessing the Political Implications of the PACT Act Vote
The PACT Act’s passage signals that there is growing support for animal rights legislation, both among elected officials and among the public. However, some of the arguments raised by senators who voted against the PACT Act, such as concerns about overreach and federal jurisdiction, could signal potential issues for future animal-related bills.
Reactions of Animal Rights Groups and Other Organizations
In general, animal rights groups were pleased with the passage of the PACT Act, although some expressed concern that it did not go far enough. The Humane Society of the United States praised the act as an “important step forward for animal welfare,” while PETA criticized the fact that the act still allowed for the killing of animals under certain circumstances (such as in the case of euthanasia).
From Animal Rights to Constitutional Concerns: Understanding the Senators’ Opposition to the PACT Act
The reasons why senators opposed the PACT Act varied widely, though many of their positions can be linked to larger political ideologies.
Analyzing the Different Reasons Senators Voted Against the PACT Act
Senators who voted against the PACT Act cited a variety of reasons for their opposition, ranging from concerns about the bill’s language being too vague to worries that it would infringe on states’ rights. While these concerns may seem like they have little in common, they can often be traced back to more fundamental differences in political philosophy.
How These Reasons Relate to Larger Political Ideologies
For example, the concern that the PACT Act would infringe on states’ rights is a view held primarily by conservatives, who generally place a greater emphasis on states’ autonomy and limiting the power of the federal government. Likewise, the argument made by senators like Blackburn and Braun that the PACT Act could harm their constituents in the horse industry reflects the conservative value of limiting the reach of government in the private sphere. On the other hand, progressives tend to support stronger federal protections for civil liberties, including those of animals, and may view the PACT Act as a necessary extension of federal authority.
Conclusion
The passage of the PACT Act provides important protections for animals, but the fact that eight senators voted against the act and others abstained from voting reveals significant division among elected officials on this issue. The reasons why senators chose to reject the act are varied, but many can be linked to larger political ideologies. Animal rights advocates will need to continue to fight for protections for animals and work to address the concerns of those who may not understand the importance of these issues.
Overall, it is important to understand which senators voted against the PACT Act and why in order to gain a better grasp of the political landscape surrounding animal welfare.