Rep. Nancy Mace Delivers Win For Retired Research Animals In House-Passed Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Apr. 30, 2026) - Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) announced her Violet's Law amendment passed the House and was included in the Farm Bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, delivering a major win for animal welfare. The amendment requires every federal agency operating a research facility to establish standards to facilitate the adoption or non-laboratory placement of animals no longer needed for research.

"A healthy animal should never be euthanized when a loving home is waiting. Never," said Congresswoman Mace. "These labs are putting down dogs, cats, hamsters, and rabbits all on the taxpayer's dime simply because no one made finding them a home a priority or a requirement. This amendment puts a stop to it. No excuses. These animals deserve a second chance at life, not a death sentence."

Justin Goodman, Senior Vice President at animal testing watchdog White Coat Waste, provided the following statement in support of the amendment:

"Rep. Mace's Violet's Law amendment to retire and rehome animal lab survivors is more important than ever, and White Coat Waste proudly supported her winning bipartisan effort to include it in the Farm Bill. Named after a hound rescued from a lab by White Coat Waste, the measure ensures that all federal agencies allow lab animals to be retired and sent to loving homes and sanctuaries instead of being senselessly killed. Taxpayers bought these animals, and Rep. Mace's Violet's Law will ensure Uncle Sam gives them back," said Goodman.

John Ramer, Executive Director of Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary, also provided a statement in support of the amendment:

"As the nation's largest and most successful sanctuary for research animals-having successfully placed thousands of cats, dogs, and other animals into loving homes-we applaud Rep. Mace for leading a successful Farm Bill amendment to make lab animal retirement a standard policy in all government labs," said Ramer. "We are proof that it can be done and eagerly stand ready to assist in the process."

Rep. Mace's amendment amends the Animal Welfare Act to:

• Require any federal department, agency, or instrumentality operating a research facility to promulgate standards facilitating the adoption or non-laboratory placement of eligible animals no longer needed for research
• Define eligible animals as dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits
• Allow placement with animal rescue organizations, animal sanctuaries, animal shelters, or individuals
• Require a veterinary certificate issued within ten days of release confirming the animal is free of infectious disease or physical abnormality before placement
• Give federal agencies one year from enactment to establish the required standards

Rep. Mace has been leading the charge in Congress to eliminate funding for cruel animal research across multiple federal agencies. She fought to successfully end painful dog, cat, and primate testing at the Department of Veterans' Affairs and secured language in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law in December, ending dog and cat experiments at the Department of War. She called on Secretary Kennedy to take action after the NIH continued funding cruel experiments on puppies and cats with taxpayer dollars. She has introduced legislation to end taxpayer-funded animal abuse, including the PAAW Act, Violet's Law, the PRIMATES Act, and the TRANS MICE Act. She also chaired an oversight hearing on 'Transgender Lab Rats and Poisoned Puppies: Oversight of Taxpayer-Funded Animal Cruelty' to hold federal agencies accountable for wasteful and inhumane research practices.

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