H.R. 3946 · 119th Congress

Bans betting on animal fights and allows private lawsuits over animal fighting

Official title: FIGHT Act of 20251

Never got a floor voteAnimal welfare laws

§1What it does

Why this matters: A plain-English description of the bill as it was voted on, written by us from the official summary and text.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

This bill would make it illegal under the Animal Welfare Act to gamble on an animal fight, whether in person or on a broadcast.2,3,4 It would also bar using the Postal Service or other means of interstate commerce to transport roosters, defined as male chickens older than six months.3,4 Any person could sue in federal court to stop violations of the federal animal fighting law after giving 60 days' notice to the Agriculture Department and local law enforcement, and courts could fine violators up to $5,000 per violation.4 People found to have sponsored or exhibited an animal in a fight could also have land and buildings used for the fight seized.4

§2Status

StatusLatest action, June 12, 2025: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.1
IntroducedJune 12, 2025
SponsorRep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Cosponsors150 cosponsors (63 Republican, 87 Democratic)
Official recordH.R. 3946 on Congress.gov

§3It never got a vote

Why this matters: This bill had wide support from both parties, but it never reached the House or Senate floor, so no member of Congress was ever recorded voting for or against it.

Latest action, June 12, 2025: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.1 How bills die without a vote.

2026 candidates who sponsored or cosponsored it (123)