Dear Friend, Last week I was honored to lead a press conference in our nation’s capital on Goldie’s Act, bipartisan legislation which would require the USDA to aggressively enforce animal cruelty protections.  It was inspired by a horrific case in Virginia where federal officials knew about 4,000 dogs living in dangerous conditions and failed to take action to prevent it or sanction the owner for these egregious violations.  I have been the co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus for 10 years working to build bipartisan support to meet our obligations toward all creatures. This is an area that does not have to be partisan. Animal welfare advocates in Congress and in the real world are not Republicans or Democrats—they are animal welfare advocates. It’s long overdue that we make sure our laws are enforced and strengthened wherever necessary. This is one of the most egregious examples but one of the best opportunities we have going forward.  In a dysfunctional Congress, this might be a small step that shows that we can govern and bring people together to solve problems. I wanted you to be aware of this initiative. It’s a signal that needs to be sent to people who not only care about animal welfare but people who care about a government that can function.  As always, thank you for your interest and support. I look forward to making progress together.