Issues lobbied + lobbyists (12)
TRD — Trade (domestic/foreign)
1. APHIS facility inspections and approvals with regard to foreign market access, general market access and export issues, including export certificates for animal products. 2. General efforts to prevent diseases, like African Swine Fever (ASF) and New World Screwworm from entering the U.S. 3. General tariff and trade disrupting issues affecting pet food manufacturers. Specifically supports suspending, reducing, or eliminating tariffs which hinder food and agriculture exports. 4. Supports addressing and finding solutions to the ongoing challenges impacting our nation's food and agricultural supply chains, specifically as it relates to the pet food industry. 5. Supports uninterrupted trade between the U.S., Mexico and Canada to provide access to the goods they need, including pet food. 6. Supports U.S. agricultural export promotion and long-term market development. Specifically, H.R. 1086: Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025; which would expand and extend the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program through FY2029. 7. Supports strengthening multilateral trade rules on agriculture that promotes resilient, adaptive, and innovative agricultural markets. 8. Supports USMCAs extension and emphasize the importance of USTRs continued engagement with business and agricultural stakeholders throughout the review, and until the agreement is extended for another 16 years.
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
- BETSY FLORES — covered position: Dir, Research and Promotion Programs, USDA AMS; Dep Dir, Ag Affairs, USTR; Dep Chief of Staff, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
Government entities lobbied: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Natl Economic Council (NEC); SENATE; Treasury, Dept of; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
AGR — Agriculture
1. General interest in the ingredients used in pet food, and modernizing the outdated regulatory processes for pet food and pet food products. 2. Supports H.R. 597: The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025; Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify and update the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure national uniformity in the regulation of the labels, labeling, and advertising of companion animal pet food. 3. General efforts to prevent diseases, like High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and African Swine Fever (ASF). 4. Supportive of H.R. 1086: Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025; which would expand and extend the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program through FY2029. 5. Concerned that the United States vitamin manufacturing is nearly non-existent, leaving it reliant on imports from China which dominates global vitamin manufacturing. This action has created a dependency that poses a significant threat to our national food security, agricultural community, and public health. Supports Congressional efforts and the Trump Administration to lessen the overreliance on China for the production of critical nutrients that are essential to both human health and animal agriculture. 6. Supports Beth Bechdol, candidate for Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 7. Supports the inclusion of the Healthy Dog Importation Act (HDIA) and several additional animal‑health measures in H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (the Farm Bill).
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
- BETSY FLORES — covered position: Dir, Research and Promotion Programs, USDA AMS; Dep Dir, Ag Affairs, USTR; Dep Chief of Staff, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
- DANA BROOKS — covered position: Legislative Assistant, Rep. Marion Berry and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
Government entities lobbied: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; President of the U.S.; SENATE; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
BUD — Budget/Appropriations
1. Supports $1.877 billion in total funding for USDAs Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for Fiscal Year 2027. 2. Supports $500 million in funding for USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program for Fiscal Year 2027. 3. Supports $1 million for the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) in Fiscal Year 2027. 4. Supports $2.5 million in FY 2027 for both aflatoxin and vomitoxin research, respectively, through the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). 5. Supports $5 million for the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) in FY 2027 to fully staff the animal food ingredient review team and provide IT assistance necessary to conduct animal food ingredient reviews in a timely manner. 6. Supports the workforce needed to ensure that FDA and USDA to operate efficiently and regulate product submissions in a timely manner: - $27 million for the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) to maintain the Centers ability to review & approve veterinary biologics and vaccines to bring these products to market. - $34 million in user fees established by the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) be included in the FY27 agriculture appropriations bill. - $5 million for safety of post approval products including global harmonization, pharmacovigilance and unapproved drugs, with a specific request of an increase of $2 million for CVM specific technology enhancements for animal health pharmacovigilance. - $147.1 million for the Pesticides Licensing Program within the Environmental Programs and Management Account. - $4.9 million for the U.S. Codex Office. - $33 million for the USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services National Rabies Management Program (NRMP).
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
- BETSY FLORES — covered position: Dir, Research and Promotion Programs, USDA AMS; Dep Dir, Ag Affairs, USTR; Dep Chief of Staff, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
- DANA BROOKS — covered position: Legislative Assistant, Rep. Marion Berry and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
Government entities lobbied: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE
TRU — Trucking/Shipping
1. General interest in trucking/shipping issues or other supply chain challenges that continue to affect pet food manufacturers and other agriculture stakeholders. 2. Supports general efforts to advance transportation and infrastructure polices for truck, rail, waterways and ports that will enhance the efficient and cost-effective transport of agricultural and food products, including pet food.
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE
ANI — Animals
1. General pet food and related pet welfare issues, including the continuation of the Congressional Pet Caucus. 2. General interest in the ingredients used in pet food, and modernizing the outdated regulatory processes for pet food and pet food products. 3. Supports H.R. 597: The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025; To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify and update the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure national uniformity in the regulation of the labels, labeling, and advertising of companion animal pet food. 4. Opposes federal mandates or incentives promoting renewable fuel production that use essential animal- and plant-based fats and oils necessary for complete and balanced nutrition in pet food formulations. 5. Supports general efforts to prevent diseases, like High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and African Swine Fever (ASF) in the United States. 6. Supports general efforts to keep companion animals safe and healthy, specifically H.R. 237: Paws Off Act of 2025; Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem foods containing xylitol as misbranded unless the label or labeling of such foods contains a warning specifying the toxic effects of xylitol for dogs if ingested. 7. Supports H.R. 2253: Puppy Protection Act of 2025; Requires the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs. 8. Supportive of H.R. 1842: People and Animals Well-being Act of 2025; Amends the IRS Code of 1986 to allow certain veterinary expenses for pets and service animals to be treated as amounts paid for medical care for purposes of a health savings account or flexible savings account. 9. Supportive of H.R. 2203: Innovative FEED Act of 2025; Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the regulation of zootechnical animal food substances. 10. Supports H.R. 3732 and S. 1939: The Bring Animals Relief and Kibble (BARK) Act; To provide protections for good faith donations of pet food and supplies. 11. Supports H.R. 3349 and S. 1725: The Healthy Dog Importation Act (HDIA); To amend the Animal Health Protection Act with respect to the importation of live dogs to address the current gaps in oversight and prioritizes the prevention of disease introduction from imported dogs that threatens both animal and public health. Supports the inclusion of HDIA and several additional animal‑health measures in H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (the Farm Bill). 12. Concerned about the United States vitamin manufacturing is nearly non-existent, leaving it reliant on imports from China which dominates global vitamin manufacturing. This action has created a dependency that poses a significant threat to our national food security, agricultural community, and public health. Supports Congressional efforts and the Trump Administration to lessen the overreliance on China for the production of critical nutrients that are essential to both human health and animal agriculture.
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
- BETSY FLORES — covered position: Dir, Research and Promotion Programs, USDA AMS; Dep Dir, Ag Affairs, USTR; Dep Chief of Staff, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
- DANA BROOKS — covered position: Legislative Assistant, Rep. Marion Berry and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
Government entities lobbied: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); President of the U.S.; SENATE; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
TRA — Transportation
1. General interest in transportation issues related to pet food manufacturing and other agriculture stakeholders, including efforts to alleviate any export shipping challenges. 2. Supports efforts to advance transportation and infrastructure polices for truck, rail, waterways and ports that will enhance the efficient and cost-effective transport of agricultural and food products, including pet food.
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
Government entities lobbied: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE
FOO — Food Industry (safety, labeling, etc.)
1. General interest in the ingredients used in pet food, and modernizing the outdated regulatory processes for pet food and pet food products. 2. Supports H.R. 597: The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025; To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify and update the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure national uniformity in the regulation of the labels, labeling, and advertising of companion animal pet food.
Lobbyists:- DANA BROOKS — covered position: Legislative Assistant, Rep. Marion Berry and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
- BETSY FLORES — covered position: Dir, Research and Promotion Programs, USDA AMS; Dep Dir, Ag Affairs, USTR; Dep Chief of Staff, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
Government entities lobbied: Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE
FUE — Fuel/Gas/Oil
1. Opposed to mandating or encouraging the use of feedstocks such as animal- and plant-based fats and oils that are historically used in human and pet food, as a significant source of renewable fuels. 2. Opposed to government mandates and tax credits promoting the expansion of renewable diesel. 3. Supportive of Congress and the Trump Administration ensuring that suitable supplies of the critical fats and oils remain available for human and petfood consumption, outside of the biofuels industry. 4. Asks EPA to consider partnering with USDA to conduct a thorough analysis of the impact of the use of renewable fuels on the price and supply of agricultural commodities and food prices. 5. Continue to be concerned about the significant increase in biomass-based diesel (BBD) volume requirements in EPAs proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2026 and 2027 along with the new proposal to cut the Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN) in half for imported renewable fuels and feedstocks in 2028. Respectfully requests that the EPA carefully consider the competition of limited resources for food, feed, and fuel in the United States as they start working on the RFS for 2028 and beyond.
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
- DANA BROOKS — covered position: Legislative Assistant, Rep. Marion Berry and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
Government entities lobbied: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); President of the U.S.; SENATE
TAR — Tariff (miscellaneous tariff bills)
1. Interest in general tariff issues affecting pet food manufacturers. Specifically supports suspending, reducing, or eliminating tariffs which hinder food and agriculture exports. 2. Supports the Trump Administrations objectives of safeguarding national security and promoting American manufacturing but concerned about the Section 232 steel and aluminum Inclusions Process.
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
- BETSY FLORES — covered position: Dir, Research and Promotion Programs, USDA AMS; Dep Dir, Ag Affairs, USTR; Dep Chief of Staff, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
Government entities lobbied: Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; President of the U.S.; SENATE; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
MAR — Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries
1. General interest in shipping issues or other supply chain challenges affecting pet food manufacturers and other agriculture stakeholders. 2. Support efforts to advance transportation and infrastructure polices for truck, rail, waterways and ports that will enhance the efficient and cost-effective transport of agricultural and food products, including pet food. 3. Supports the passage of H.R. 4294: The Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act of 2025. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a pilot program with respect to the sale of blue catfish caught within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
Government entities lobbied: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
RRR — Railroads
1. Support efforts to advance transportation and infrastructure polices for truck, rail, waterways and ports that will enhance the efficient and cost-effective transport of agricultural and food products, including pet food. 2. Support federal lawmakers pursuing targeted, data-driven improvements to rail safety while avoiding concerning provisions contained in the Railway Safety Act (RSA) that could unintentionally disrupt agricultural supply chains.
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
Government entities lobbied: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE
TAX — Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
1. Supportive of H.R. 1842: People and Animals Well-being Act of 2025; Amends the IRS Code of 1986 to allow certain veterinary expenses for pets and service animals to be treated as amounts paid for medical care for purposes of a health savings account or flexible savings account. 2. Supportive of S. 1163 and H.R. 2398: Rural Veterinary Workforce Act; Amends the IRS Code of 1986 to provide for an exclusion for assistance provided to participants in certain veterinary student loan repayment or forgiveness programs. 3. Opposed to government mandates and tax credits promoting the expansion of renewable diesel.
Lobbyists:- ATALIE EBERSOLE — covered position: Executive Assistant, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson
Government entities lobbied: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE