H.R. 4638 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Mar 19, 2026. Received Mar 19, 2026; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryMakes animal abuse a deportation offense
This bill makes it so that non-U.S. citizens who harm animals used in law enforcement—like police dogs or horses—can be deported. If they're convicted of or admit to this kind of abuse, they become ineligible to enter or stay in the country.
How it affects you
This mainly affects non-U.S. citizens who might harm working animals. If you're a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, this doesn't change what applies to you, though it does add a consequence for non-citizens who abuse the animals that help keep communities safe.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jul 23, 2025)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 4638
AN ACT
Federal Working Animal Protection Act
Sponsor: Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA-41) · Introduced Jul 23, 2025 · Immigration · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 19, 2026: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Passage · Mar 19, 2026
Passage Passed 228–190
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 15 | 190 | 9 |
| Independents | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 212 | 0 | 5 |
15 members voted against most of their party: 15 Democrats voted Yes.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.