Federal Working Animal Protection Act

Where it stands

1. Introduced Done · Jul 23, 2025
2. Committee Done · Jul 23, 2025
3. Passed House Done · Mar 19, 2026
4. Passed Senate Not yet
5. President Not yet
6. Law Not yet

From the official actions on Congress.gov.

Key points

What it changes

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

Who it affects

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

What it costs

No cost estimate yet.

Where it stands

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Mar 19, 2026)

What happens next

The Senate would need to pass it next.

Official summary

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House version), via Congress.gov. These are proposed provisions, not enacted law.

Recorded votes

1. HOUSEFinal passageMar 19, 2026 · roll call 96

   On Passage: Passed (228–190)

   This vote decided whether the bill passes this chamber.
   Votes by party

   How each party voted on roll call 96

   Party	Yes	No	Present	Did not vote	Share voting Yes
   Democratic	15	190	0	9
   Republican	212	0	0	5
   Independent	1	0	0	0

   Party totals from the official roll call.

   Office of the Clerk, U.S. House ↗ — includes how every member voted

Vote types come from the official question text. How we label votes

Legislative history

1. Mar 19, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
2. Mar 19, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3. Mar 19, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 190 (Roll no. 96). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2600)
4. Mar 19, 2026Passed/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)
5. Mar 19, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
6. Mar 19, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4638.
7. Mar 19, 2026Rule 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.
8. Mar 19, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1115. (consideration: CR H2600-2606)
9. Mar 17, 2026Rule H. Res. 1115 passed House.
10. Mar 16, 2026Rules 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.
11. Dec 12, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 355.
12. Dec 12, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-407.
13. Dec 12, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-407.
14. Nov 20, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.
15. Nov 20, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
16. Nov 18, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
17. Jul 23, 2025Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
18. Jul 23, 2025Introduced in House
19. Jul 23, 2025Introduced in House