House Judiciary Chairman (Sensenbrenner) Blocks Bill Against Animal Fighting [View All]

[deadparrot]

Nov. 14, 2006 — As Congress returned for its lame-duck session this week, it found one piece of legislation that had overwhelming support. The Senate had already passed it unanimously. And it had 324 co-sponsors in the House, 155 Republicans and 169 Democrats. That was almost 75 percent of the House already on record in support of it. But the bill stood virtually no chance of becoming law.

The reason? One powerful committee chairman blocked it.

It is the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act. It would increase penalties for interstate shipment of animals — cocks and dogs — so they can be pitted against each other in fights. Most states have already prohibited animal fighting. The new bill would make it a federal felony punishable by up to two years in prison.

The Judiciary Committee Chairman, James Sensenbrenner, has refused to move the bill to the House floor for a vote. In a written statement he said, "Animal fighting is an abhorrent practice but is best handled by those already working to combat its practice — state and local officials."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2652909&page=1