[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 30, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTRODUCTION OF CAPTIVE PRIMATE SAFETY ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 2024

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Prevention of Cruelty 
to Animals Month, today I am introducing the Captive Primate Safety Act 
of 2024.
  The private ownership of primates poses significant public health and 
animal welfare issues. Primates are not pets: they are highly 
intelligent and social animals whose needs cannot be met when they are 
inappropriately confined However, primates are easily obtained on the 
Internet and through out-of-state dealers and auctions.
  There have been several high-profile incidents of pet primates 
attacking humans including when a Connecticut woman was mauled by her 
neighbor's pet chimpanzee and lost her hands, nose, eyes, lips, and 
mid-face bone structure, along with enduring significant brain 
injuries. There is no reason to tolerate the risk of an avoidable 
tragedy like this that puts the public and first responders at risk. 
Beyond the immediate health risk of an attack, these animals also often 
carry dangerous viruses that can be transferred to humans such as 
COVID-19 and Herpes B.
  The Captive Primate Safety Act supplements the more than 30 state 
laws that already outlaw the private ownership of primates by amending 
the Lacey Act to ban interstate or foreign commerce, or possession, of 
any prohibited primate species.
  It should not take another tragedy to make common sense change. I 
thank my colleagues Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Congressman Joe 
Neguse, Congresswoman Nancy Mace, and Senator Richard Blumenthal for 
their partnership, and I look forward to advancing this critical 
legislation to safeguard public health and animal welfare.

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