Protecting Animals, Enforcing Justice: Why the ACE Act Matters
Author
Kimmi Rasky
Date Published
Protecting Animals, Enforcing Justice: Why the ACE Act Matters
At Rescue Revival, we’ve seen firsthand the tragic consequences of animal cruelty—and we know the heartbreak doesn’t end with the animals. Abuse and neglect ripple through our communities, often tied to deeper patterns of violence. That’s why we’re urging you to learn about and support the Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act of 2024 (H.R. 8923)—a groundbreaking piece of legislation that could transform how our justice system responds to cruelty against animals.
What is the ACE Act?
Introduced in the House of Representatives on July 2, 2024, the ACE Act seeks to establish an Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. This dedicated unit would focus solely on investigating and prosecuting violations of federal animal cruelty laws.
Why is this important? Until now, the Department of Justice hasn’t had a specific team tasked with enforcing these laws, leading to delays, inconsistencies, and even inaction when it comes to prosecuting animal abuse. The ACE Act would change that by ensuring expert-level enforcement with the resources and staff needed to prioritize these crimes.
Why We Need the ACE Act
The bill is rooted in a powerful set of findings:
Animal cruelty is often a warning sign of more serious crimes, including domestic violence, child abuse, and even homicide.
Animal fighting and abuse can spread disease, posing a public health risk.
While many strong federal laws against animal cruelty already exist, they are only effective if enforced.
There is bipartisan public support for tougher action against animal cruelty.
By creating a specialized team at the DOJ, the ACE Act will ensure that animal cruelty cases no longer fall through the cracks. It will also improve collaboration between federal agencies—including the FBI, USDA, and U.S. Marshals Service—strengthening the nationwide response to these crimes.
What You Can Do
Laws don’t pass without people speaking up. Here’s how you can help:
Contact your Representatives and Senators – Ask them to support H.R. 8923, the ACE Act. Tell them why animal protection matters to you and your community.
Spread the word – Share this article on social media, tag your elected officials, and talk to your friends and family about the bill.
Stay informed – Sign up for Rescue Revival’s newsletter to receive updates about the ACE Act and other critical legislation that affects animal welfare.
Current Congressional Supporters
We are proud to share that the following lawmakers are supporting the ACE Act:
Colorado – Rep. Joe NeguseDistrict: Colorado's 2nd DistrictExample Cities: Boulder, Fort Collins, Loveland
Arizona – Rep. Juan CiscomaniDistrict: Arizona's 6th DistrictExample Cities: Tucson (east side), Sierra Vista, Green Valley
Tennessee – Rep. Steve CohenDistrict: Tennessee's 9th DistrictExample Cities: Memphis (central and western parts)
California-9 – Rep. Josh HarderDistrict: California's 9th DistrictExample Cities: Stockton, Lodi, Tracy
California-36 – Rep. Ted LieuDistrict: California's 36th DistrictExample Cities: Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, El Segundo, Torrance
Indiana – Rep. Jefferson ShreveDistrict: Indiana's 6th DistrictExample Cities: Indianapolis (southern suburbs), Columbus, Richmond, Zionsville, Carmel
New Jersey – Rep. Herb ConawayDistrict: New Jersey's 3rd DistrictExample Cities: Mount Laurel, Willingboro, Toms River
New York-17 – Rep. Michael LawlerDistrict: New York's 17th DistrictExample Cities: White Plains, Ossining, New City, Peekskill
New York-20 – Rep. Paul TonkoDistrict: New York's 20th DistrictExample Cities: Albany, Schenectady, Troy
New York-7 – Rep. Nydia VelázquezDistrict: New York's 7th DistrictExample Cities: Brooklyn (Williamsburg, Bushwick), Lower East Side (Manhattan)
Texas – Rep. Lloyd DoggettDistrict: Texas' 37th DistrictExample Cities: Austin (central parts), West Lake Hills, Rollingwood
Virginia – Rep. Jennifer KiggansDistrict: Virginia's 2nd DistrictExample Cities: Virginia Beach, Norfolk (part), Chesapeake
Illinois – Rep. Eric SorensenDistrict: Illinois' 17th DistrictExample Cities: Rockford (part), Moline, Rock Island, East Moline
If your representatives aren't on the list, now is the perfect time to reach out and encourage them to join the effort!
At Rescue Revival, we believe every animal deserves safety, dignity, and justice. The ACE Act brings us one step closer to making that belief a reality. Let’s make sure this bill gets the support it needs—because cruelty should never go unchecked.
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