Rep. Steube Introduces WATCH Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R Fla.) introduced today the Worldwide Animal Testing Compliance and Harmonization Act or WATCH Act. This bill would prohibit federal funding for foreign laboratories found to be in violation of animal welfare protections.

"Torturing animals in the name of science is both morally wrong and wholly unnecessary," said Rep. Steube. "The fact that the United States continues to fund foreign laboratories that engage in animal cruelty is indefensible-especially considering the NIH has set clear guidelines for domestic laboratories to follow. Any scientific research involving animals demands proper care and a humane environment for God's creatures. That is why I am introducing the bipartisan WATCH Act to bar the NIH from funding studies in foreign countries that fail to protect the welfare of innocent animals."

"American taxpayer dollars should never fund inhumane animal testing in unregulated laboratories around the world," said Rep. Susie Lee. "This bipartisan bill requires foreign laboratories to meet the same animal welfare standards American-based labs must follow, ensuring animals are treated humanely and strengthening the integrity of U.S.-funded research."

This bill serves as the House companion to legislation introduced by Senators Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

"Despite what Communist China may say, it has become clear that the COVID pandemic was the result of risky animal experiments by an unregulated lab in Wuhan that received U.S. taxpayer dollars," said Senator Schmitt. "Outsourcing animal testing and research to foreign laboratories that do not comply with U.S. standards is dangerous, inhumane, and puts America, and the world, at risk. This bipartisan WATCH Act puts in place strong guardrails to ensure humane and safe research by requiring that foreign NIH-funded studies are subject to the same standards and animal welfare requirements as studies in the U.S."

"American taxpayers shouldn't fund animal cruelty, and the WATCH Act puts in place common-sense guardrails to ensure federal funds only go to organizations upholding strong animal welfare standards," said Senator Jeff Merkley. "Our bipartisan bill is an important step forward to make sure NIH-funded studies meet consistent and enforceable animal welfare protections, regardless of where they are conducted."

Background: The Worldwide Animal Testing Compliance and Harmonization Act would require foreign laboratories comply with animal welfare requirements in the United States for NIH funds. This includes submitting to quarterly site inspections to ensure compliance.

Read the full bill text here.