Congressional Legislation · bill 119hr4638 · built from our database

Only the right has signed this so far (Bill Ranking)

Federal Working Animal Protection Act

H.R. 4638 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

H.R. 4638119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 07/23/2025REP. CALVERTR-CA · SPONSORLeft: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: no (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: DW-NOMINATE +0.34 (Sponsor Ranking)Right: no (Sponsor Ranking)LEAN RIGHT(SPONSOR RANKING)IMMIGRATION

20 members · Left 0 · Center 1 · Right 19 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorRep. Calvert, Ken (R-CA) (Introduced 07/23/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordLean right · DW-NOMINATE +0.34 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 20 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Judiciary Committee; House - Judiciary Committee; House - Judiciary Committee; House - Judiciary Committee; House - Judiciary Committee
Latest Action03/19/2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Roll Call Votes1
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Introduced in House (07/23/2025)

Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act or the BOWOW Act

This bill establishes that a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) convicted of, or who admits to having committed, an offense related to harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable.

Text (4)

Engrossed in House (EH)

119 HR 4638 EH: Federal Working Animal Protection Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 4638

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Federal Working Animal Protection Act.

2.Inadmissibility and deportability related to harming animals used in law enforcement (a)InadmissibilitySection 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (J)Harming animals used in law enforcementAny alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code (relating to harming animals used in law enforcement), is inadmissible.. (b)DeportabilitySection 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (G)Harming animals used in law enforcementAny alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code (relating to harming animals used in law enforcement), is deportable.. Passed the House of Representatives March 19, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Introduced in House (IH)

119 HR 4638 IH: Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-07-23 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4638IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 23, 2025Mr. Calvert (for himself, Ms. Tenney, Mr. Tiffany, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Steube, Mr. Owens, Mr. Issa, Mr. Harrigan, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Rulli, Mr. Williams of Texas, and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act or the BOWOW Act.

2.Inadmissibility and deportability related to harming animals used in law enforcement (a)InadmissibilitySection 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (J)Harming animals used in law enforcementAny alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code (relating to harming animals used in law enforcement), is inadmissible.. (b)DeportabilitySection 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (G)Harming animals used in law enforcementAny alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code (relating to harming animals used in law enforcement), is deportable..

Referred in Senate (RFS)

119 HR 4638 : Federal Working Animal Protection Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-03-19 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 4638IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 19, 2026Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryAN ACTTo amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Federal Working Animal Protection Act.2.Inadmissibility and deportability related to harming animals used in law enforcement(a)InadmissibilitySection 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:(J)Harming animals used in law enforcementAny alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code (relating to harming animals used in law enforcement), is inadmissible..(b)DeportabilitySection 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:(G)Harming animals used in law enforcementAny alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code (relating to harming animals used in law enforcement), is deportable..Passed the House of Representatives March 19, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Reported in House (RH)

119 HR 4638 RH: Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-12-12 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 355119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4638[Report No. 119–407]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 23, 2025Mr. Calvert (for himself, Ms. Tenney, Mr. Tiffany, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Steube, Mr. Owens, Mr. Issa, Mr. Harrigan, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Rulli, Mr. Williams of Texas, and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryDecember 12, 2025Additional sponsors: Mr. Stauber, Mr. LaLota, Mr. Gill of Texas, Mr. Crane, and Ms. MaceDecember 12, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 23, 2025A BILLTo amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act of 2025 or the BOWOW Act of 2025.2.Inadmissibility and deportability related to harming animals used in law enforcement(a)InadmissibilitySection 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:(J)Harming animals used in law enforcementAny alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code (relating to harming animals used in law enforcement), is inadmissible..(b)DeportabilitySection 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:(G)Harming animals used in law enforcementAny alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code (relating to harming animals used in law enforcement), is deportable..December 12, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (19)

DateChamberAll Actions
07/23/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
07/23/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
07/23/2025House floor actionsReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
11/18/2025House committee actionsCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
11/20/2025House committee actionsCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
11/20/2025House committee actionsOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.
12/12/2025Library of CongressReported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-407.
12/12/2025House floor actionsReported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-407.
12/12/2025House floor actionsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 355.
03/16/2026House floor actionsRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1115 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
03/17/2026House floor actionsRule H. Res. 1115 passed House.
03/19/2026House floor actionsConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1115. (consideration: CR H2600-2606)
03/19/2026House floor actionsRule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
03/19/2026House floor actionsDEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4638.
03/19/2026House floor actionsThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
03/19/2026Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 190 (Roll no. 96). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2600)
03/19/2026House floor actionsOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 190 (Roll no. 96). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2600)
03/19/2026House floor actionsMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
03/19/2026SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Titles (9)

Title TypeTitle
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes.
Display TitleFederal Working Animal Protection Act
Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill textFederal Working Animal Protection Act
Short Title(s) as Passed HouseFederal Working Animal Protection Act
Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill textTo amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes.
Short Title(s) as Reported to HouseBill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act of 2025
Short Title(s) as Reported to HouseBOWOW Act of 2025
Short Title(s) as IntroducedBOWOW Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedBill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act

Amendments (1)

AmendmentSponsorPurposeLatest Action
HAMDT 17003/19/2026 On agreeing to the Rules amendment (A001) Agreed to without objection.

Cosponsors (19)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (5)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Judiciary Committee03/19/2026 Referred To
House - Judiciary Committee12/12/2025 Reported By
House - Judiciary Committee11/20/2025 Markup By
House - Judiciary Committee11/18/2025 Markup By
House - Judiciary Committee07/23/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (1)

Subjects (4)

Policy Area: Immigration

All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.