A Democratic congressman has proposed renaming a Republican-sponsored bill aimed at animal welfare to the “Kristi Noem Canine Relief Act of 2025.” This suggestion came during a hearing on March 5, 2025, where the bill, officially known as House Resolution 4638, was being discussed. The legislation seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make individuals who harm law enforcement animals inadmissible or subject to deportation.
The impetus for this bill arose from an incident involving a Customs and Border Protection dog named Freddie. The five-year-old beagle suffered bruised ribs after being kicked by an Egyptian man attempting to smuggle over 50 pounds of food products into the United States at Washington Dulles International Airport. Congressman Ken Calver, the bill’s sponsor, noted that the legislation has garnered support from more than a dozen Republican co-sponsors.
During the hearing, Congressman Dan Goldman raised concerns about the implications of the proposed legislation. He referenced a controversial anecdote from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s book, in which she recounted shooting her own dog. “Make no mistake. I am strongly against anyone assaulting dogs,” Goldman stated. He further questioned how the bill would apply to those who have admitted to harming animals, implying a double standard in how the legislation addresses animal cruelty.
Democratic representatives expressed their opposition to the bill, arguing that it could impose penalties on individuals who have not been convicted of any crime. They highlighted that the man involved in Freddie’s case had already been jailed and deported under existing laws. Congressman Jared Moskowitz added to the criticism by urging the committee to remember the dog’s name, saying, “That puppy had a name. Say its name — Cricket,” before reading excerpts from Noem’s book.
The discourse took a lighter turn when Republican Congressman Lance Gooden employed dog-related puns while addressing his Democratic colleagues. He described Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett as “all bark and no bite” and stated that Congressman Moskowitz was “fetching amendments.” Despite the spirited debate and proposed name change, the bill advanced out of committee on a party-line vote.
In response to the Democrats’ pushback, the House Judiciary Committee GOP released a statement asserting, “Democrats just voted to allow illegal aliens to kick dogs. Republicans wanted to deport illegal aliens for kicking dogs. Guess Dems hate man’s best friend!” This exchange highlights the ongoing partisan divide over immigration and animal welfare legislation, as both parties continue to navigate these complex issues.
