Supporting Our Shelters Act

House Bill

H.R. 5020

119th Congress

Supporting Our Shelters Act

In Committee

Introduced:Aug 22, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Hakeem S. Jeffries

Representative

Democratic

NY-8

Cosponsors

24

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

The Supporting Our Shelters Act would prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services from conducting or supporting research on animals in facilities affiliated with certain foreign countries, such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. This aims to prevent U.S. funding from potentially supporting animal research in countries of concern.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Supporting Our Shelters Act would prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services from conducting or supporting research on animals in facilities affiliated with certain foreign countries, such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. This aims to prevent U.S. funding from potentially supporting animal research in countries of concern.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Accountability in Foreign Animal Research ActThis bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from conducting or supporting research on vertebrate animals in a facility or through an entity that is affiliated with China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or another foreign country of concern.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Bans U.S. funding for animal research in facilities affiliated with China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and other 'foreign countries of concern'
Applies to research conducted or supported by the Department of Health and Human Services
Intended to prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from potentially supporting animal research in countries seen as threats or adversaries

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If enacted, this bill would affect U.S. government-funded biomedical and scientific research involving animals. Researchers and institutions that receive HHS funding would be prohibited from collaborating with facilities in the designated foreign countries, which could disrupt some ongoing projects and collaborations. Animal welfare advocates may support the bill, while scientists may be concerned about potential impacts on research progress.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Animal protection and human-animal relationships

Asia

China

Congressional oversight

Europe

Foreign aid and international relief

Government information and archives

Hong Kong

Iran

Middle East

+3 more

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

5020, 119th Congress (2025). "Supporting Our Shelters Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5020