In Iowa, dogs are family. They’re also hunting partners, farm dogs, service animals, and the first ones at the door when the kids get home. Protecting them from cruelty and protecting the traditions built around them aren’t in conflict — and this year’s Farm Bill proves it.
What we delivered: I secured two amendments in the Farm Bill to better protect man’s best friend.
🐕 Cracking down on puppy mills by strengthening USDA enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act against abusive breeders
🐾 Banning commercial greyhound racing nationwide — ending a cruel industry that keeps dogs caged 23 hours a day to fuel a dying gambling operation
What we heard: As the Farm Bill moved forward, hunters and dog owners across Iowa raised a fair point — some of the language in the bill was too broad and could have been read to go after hunting dogs and field training. That was never the intent.
If you’ve ever trained a bird dog or spent a season building trust with your retriever, you know — that’s not cruelty. That’s Iowa. And as a hunter myself, I wasn’t going to let bad language put that at risk.
What’s new: I went back to the Agriculture Committee and got it fixed — tightening the language so it does what it’s supposed to do: end commercial greyhound racing without touching hunting traditions that have been part of Iowa for generations.
Bottom Line: When this bill reaches the floor, it’ll carry stronger protections for Iowa farmers and smarter language to defend man’s best friend — because Iowans spoke up and we put in the work to get it right.