Rep. Nancy Mace Reintroduces Bill To Stop NIH's Torturous Dog And Cat Experiments

(Washington, D.C., July 28, 2025) - As part of her fight to end government-funded animal cruelty, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) has reintroduced the Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste (PAAW) Act,a bill prohibiting the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from conducting or funding research causing significant pain or distress to dogs and cats.

"This isn't just animal cruelty, it's bureaucratic cruelty, paid for by the American taxpayer," said Congresswoman Mace."If the NIH won't do the right thing on its own, we will make them. These aren't lab tools, they're pets, they're family, and we're here to stop this taxpayer-funded abuse."

The PAAW Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to ban NIH-funded research categorized under USDA pain levels D or E, the most extreme classifications of animal testing, where pain or distress is inflicted without relief.

These experiments, often hidden from public view and conducted with little oversight, include:

• Injecting dogs with cocaine and methamphetamine
• Intentionally infesting puppies with ticks and biting flies
• Inducing heart failure in dogs and cats
• Forcing beagles to swallow experimental drugs
• Intentionally breeding sick and deformed dogs and cats for abuse in inhumane and deadly testing
• Exposing animals to noxious stimuli which they cannot avoid/escape
• Forcing animals into long-term physical restraints, sometimes lasting weeks, with no escape

Under the bill, the ban would take effect within 90 days of enactment, marking a major step toward modernizing federal research policy and eliminating inhumane practices in government science.

The PAAW Act backs President Trump's action to phase out animal abuse in federal labs, including shutting down NIH facilities where dogs were subjected to decades of painful, taxpayer-funded experiments.

Support for the bill spans animal rights leaders, science reformer advocates, and fiscal conservatives alike, all demanding an end to taxpayer dollars being used for cruel and outdated animal testing.

Justin Goodman, Senior Vice President of government watchdog group, White Coat Waste Project, released the following statement in support of the bill:

"As the group that first exposed Dr. Fauci's beagle and kitten abuse around the world, White Coat Waste proudly supports Rep. Mace's bipartisan PAAW Act to defund the NIH's painful pet experiments. Our recent investigations reveal the NIH is still renewing Fauci-era horrors-like inducing heart failure in kittens and injecting puppies with cocaine-while doling out millions more in brand-new grants for deadly dog labs," said Goodman. "President Trump wants to cut the NIH's bloated budget by 40 percent and passing Rep. Mace's PAAW Act is an easy win against wasteful spending and taxpayer-funded dog and cat torture. The solution is simple: Stop the money. Stop the madness!"

Rep. Nancy Mace: Leading the Charge Against Animal Cruelty

• Violet's Law: Named after a hound rescued from a taxpayer-funded lab, Violet's Law ensures animals are retired and rehomed when they are no longer needed for research in federal labs. Breitbart
• PRIMATES Act: Led efforts to end invasive, taxpayer-funded experiments on primates, advocating for the cessation of cruel and outdated research methods.Representative Nancy Mace
• MINKS Act: Introduced bipartisan legislation to phase out mink farming in the U.S., addressing public health risks and animal cruelty associated with the fur industry.Center for a Humane Economy+1Michelson Center for Public Policy+1
• Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act: Pushed for stricter USDA licensing and oversight of animal dealers and exhibitors, aiming to close loopholes exploited by abusers and ensure better protection for animals.Representative Krishnamoorthi
• Animal Welfare Amendments Passed in NDAA Markup: Passed amendments in the NDAA to ban painful dog and cat testing, halt dangerous gain-of-function virus research, and push the Pentagon to adopt non-animal testing methods.
• Hearing exposing taxpayer-funded animal abuse: Rep. Mace led a hard-hitting oversight hearing titled "Transgender Lab Rats and Poisoned Puppies: Oversight of Taxpayer Funded Animal Cruelty"uncovering the NIH wasted $10 million in taxpayer money creating transgender animals. She called out the agency for cruel and absurd experiments disguised as science and demanded accountability. Subcommittee Hearing
• Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus Co-Chair: Co-founded a bipartisan caucus dedicated to promoting dog welfare legislation, reinforcing the nation's commitment to protecting "man's best friend."POLITICO
• Broad Legislative Support: Cosponsored key animal protection bills, including the Big Cat Public Safety Act, Bear Protection Act, Greyhound Protection Act, Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, and measures to end horse slaughter, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to animal welfare.EIN Presswire
• Recognized Leadership: Endorsed by Animal Wellness Action as a top animal welfare advocate in Congress, acknowledging her relentless efforts to advance animal rights.

PAAW Act Bill Text:

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