American Veterinary Medical Association Congressional Advocacy Network

10/08/2024

BREAKING: 2024-2025 AVMA fellow to join congressional office

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The AVMA announced today that veterinarian Dr. Michael Streitz of Minnesota will spend his AVMA congressional fellowship with U.S. Congresswoman Kim Schrier's (WA-08) office.

09/20/2024

Ever wonder what's in your food? AVMA joined the Senate Veterinary Medicine Caucus for a discussion on the important role public practice veterinarians play as the unsung heroes of food safety. The National Association of Federal Veterinarians highlighted the need to recruit and retain veterinary medical professionals in the public practice workforce.

Representatives from the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) emphasized the importance securing the appropriate funding through the Farm Bill to safeguard the program’s ability to protect our nation’s food supply. FARAD is a university-based national program that has been utilized by veterinary practitioners as the primary resource to provide recommendations on safe drug withdrawal intervals for drugs used in food-producing animals.

The AVMA is advocating for Congress to reauthorize FARAD at increased funding levels in the new Farm Bill to ensure our food supply stays safe, secure, and affordable.

09/12/2024

All the stars were out at the ! The AVMA seized the chance to meet with members of Congress and congressional staff to discuss the importance of pet ownership and how pet-friendly policies can help strengthen the human-animal bond.

Of course, there was plenty of time to get photos with the dogs (and snuggle with them), too!

Thank you to Human Animal Bond Research Institute - HABRI, the Pet Food Institute and the Pet Advocacy Network for hosting this awesome event!

09/11/2024

BREAKING: Rep. Claudia Tenney and Congresswoman Deborah Ross introduce American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-endorsed legislation to include veterinary care expenses under tax-advantaged healthcare spending accounts, specifically Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3Tq5O7k

09/09/2024

It’s ! The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) invites you to join us all week to celebrate the importance of pet ownership for human health & well-being. This week raises awareness of policies that can strengthen the human-animal bond & create a more pet-friendly society.

During Pet Week, Human Animal Bond Research Institute - HABRI will be offering a series of free-to-attend virtual sessions highlighting the importance and benefits of pet ownership. For the full schedule of events visit PetNight.com!

05/23/2024

BREAKING: AVMA applauds veterinary priorities included in House and Senate Farm Bills

A new Farm Bill would reauthorize many federal programs essential to the veterinary profession.

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The House and Senate Agriculture Committees have taken action to pass a new Farm Bill that would reauthorize many federal programs essential to veterinary medicine. Working with lawmakers and stakeholder groups, the AVMA's sustained advocacy led to the inclusion of the veterinary profession's top le...

05/22/2024

Support for xylazine legislation builds in Congress: http://bit.ly/44WPyQ4

Updated legislation presents a viable political pathway to help address the public health dangers of illicit xylazine while preserving the availability and current uses of this critical veterinary drug.

05/20/2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program ( ), one of the most important tools we have to recruit and retain veterinarians in underserved agricultural areas, allocated $9 million in 2023.

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In April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture published its Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program report for federal fiscal year 2023. During that time, $8.6 million was awarded to 88 veterinarians. The report outlines how the Veterinary Medicine Lo...

05/16/2024

After years of sustained advocacy from the AVMA and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to end horse soring, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced strengthened Horse Protection Act regulations that would help deter this inhumane act and maintain horse welfare.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced strengthened Horse Protection Act regulations that would help deter horse soring and maintain horse welfare.

05/08/2024

BREAKING: AVMA announces 2024-2025 congressional fellow

Dr. Michael Streitz of Minnesota will serve as a full-time scientific advisor in a congressional office or committee.

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The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) announced that veterinarian Dr. Michael Streitz of Minnesota has been selected to participate in the 2024-2025 George W. Bishop AVMA Congressional Fellowship Program.

05/06/2024

ICYMI: U.S. Department of Agriculture strengthens horse soring regulations. The AVMA has been a longtime advocate to end the inhumane and cruel practice that deliberately causes a horse pain to exaggerate its gait and gain an advantage in horse shows.

Full details: https://bit.ly/3JK7dQX

In an effort to end horse soring at Tennessee Walking Horse shows, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced April 29 that it is strengthening Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulations.

04/25/2024

Last week Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith discussed the importance of enhancing the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, a tool that places veterinarians in underserved rural areas, through the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act. Secretary Tom Vilsack agreed and urged Congress to remove the federal tax.

03/25/2024

BREAKING: Senate reintroduces bipartisan legislation aimed to end horse soring

Read more: https://bit.ly/4atNctc

03/12/2024

What does a journey in veterinary medicine and advocacy look like? How can YOU get involved in the profession's advocacy efforts? Why is advocacy so important? This and more is addressed during a recent episode of the ! 🔽🔽🔽

02/15/2024

During the , veterinary advocates conducted more than 180 meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the need to strengthen dog importation standards and recruit and retain veterinarians in underserved and rural areas.

Read American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)'s recap 🔽🔽🔽

More than 140 veterinary professionals and veterinary students were on Capitol Hill as part of the AVMA’s annual legislative fly-in this February, pressing lawmakers to pass legislation concerning healthy dog importation and rural veterinary shortages.

02/08/2024

The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program is critical in recruiting and retaining veterinarians in underserved areas. As a sponsor of the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, Congresswoman Deborah Ross knows we need to maximize the efficiency of this highly successful program.

02/08/2024

Addressing rural veterinary gaps is a must for animal and human welfare. By supporting the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, Senator Jerry Moran has demonstrated he knows this legislation would safeguard food safety while strengthening animal health infrastructure.

02/08/2024

Whether it's supporting language to address the emerging public health threat of illicit xylazine while protecting the drug's legitimate uses in veterinary med. or legislation to support animal drug development, Congresswoman Kim Schrier understands the needs of veterinarians.