U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) have announced the membership for the Senate Veterinary Medicine Caucus in the 119th Congress. The caucus, which they founded in 2023, aims to address policy challenges affecting the veterinary industry, which is considered important for national health and agriculture.
Both senators will continue as co-chairs of the caucus. The group intends to promote policies addressing issues such as shortages of public service and rural large animal veterinarians.
“Our caucus demonstrates that animal health is a bipartisan issue, which I believe bodes well for our ability to influence policies to promote the veterinary profession. Our nation needs more veterinarians, especially large animal vets to serve rural America, and lawmakers can and should act to fill the void,” Senator Hyde-Smith said. “Our caucus believes more Americans should understand just how much of their day-to-day lives are touched by the good work done by veterinarians who protect our food supplies, support public health, and advance medical breakthroughs.”
Senator Klobuchar emphasized the role of veterinarians in supporting farmers, ranchers, families, medical advancements, food safety, and disease prevention: “Veterinarians provide a critical service to farmers, ranchers, and families,” said Senator Klobuchar, Ranking Member on the Senate Agriculture Committee. “The bipartisan Senate Veterinary Medicine Caucus allows Congress to work with veterinarians across the country to better support medical advancements, protect our nation’s food supply, and to ensure the prevention of animal disease.”
The caucus includes other members such as Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
The group plans to highlight roles played by veterinarians outside small animal clinics—such as those involved in public health efforts or protecting food supplies—in response to current concerns like highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks and threats from New World Screwworm.
Ongoing efforts will focus on shaping policy related not only to clinical practice but also non-clinical roles like federal inspection of meat products; comparative research benefiting people and animals; as well as prevention and detection of diseases that affect both animals and humans.
Dr. Sandra Faeh, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association, expressed support for expanding congressional attention toward veterinary medicine: “Amplifying the voice of the veterinary profession is essential to ensuring the unique perspective of the veterinarian is considered when important public policy matters are being measured,” Dr. Faeh said. “Establishing a Veterinary Medicine Caucus in Congress will help promote, protect, and advance veterinary medicine. We are extremely grateful to Senators Hyde-Smith and Klobuchar for their leadership and dedication to supporting the veterinary community in Congress.”
