Bills · 119th Congress · Immigration

Federal Working Animal Protection Act

Also known as BOWOW Act of 2025

Where it stands

  1. Introduced7/23/25
  2. Passed HousePassed 3/19/26
  3. Senate
  4. President
  5. Law

Passed the House 228–190 on March 19, 2026 (Roll Call 96 →). Received in the Senate the same day. No Senate action since.

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Roll calls on this bill

Votes on passage
HouseOn Passage · 3/19/26PassageThe vote on whether this chamber approves the measure — usually by a simple majority of those voting. It becomes law only once both chambers pass the same text and the president signs it, or Congress overrides a veto.House: The Legislative Process ↗
Passed
  • Democratic15 Yea · 190 Nay · 9 Not voting
  • Republican212 Yea · 0 Nay · 5 Not voting
  • Independent / Other1 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)

Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act or the BOWOW Act

This bill establishes that a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) convicted of, or who admits to having committed, an offense related to harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Ken Calvert ( Republican · CA-41)
Cosponsors
19
Introduced
7/23/25
Policy area
Immigration

What happens next

The Senate must pass the same text, then it goes to the President.

If it isn't enacted by Jan 3, 2027, it expires when the 119th Congress ends.

All actions (17)
  1. 7/23/25Introduced in House
  2. 7/23/25Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  3. 11/18/25Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  4. 11/20/25Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  5. 11/20/25Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.
  6. 12/12/25Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-407.
  7. 12/12/25Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 355.
  8. 3/16/26Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1115 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
  9. 3/17/26Rule H. Res. 1115 passed House.
  10. 3/19/26Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1115. (consideration: CR H2600-2606)
  11. 3/19/26Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
  12. 3/19/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4638.
  13. 3/19/26The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  14. 3/19/26Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 190 (Roll no. 96). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2600)
  15. 3/19/26On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 190 (Roll no. 96). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2600)
  16. 3/19/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  17. 3/19/26Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.