Photo courtesy Humane Society. The Humane Society in May gave Vern Buchanan a Legislative Leader Award.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, remains a friend to the animals, according to the U.S. Humane Society, which gave the congressman a 100+ score on its 2019 Legislative Report Card.

“Preventing animal cruelty and protecting threatened wildlife are bipartisan issues that we can all get behind,” said Buchanan, who ended up as one of just four Republicans to earn a perfect grade.

He was also one of 34 members to get the 100+ designation for leadership on animal rights issues. The grade notably came out shortly after Congress passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, sponsored by Buchanan with Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton. The legislation awaits the signature of President Donald Trump.

The legislation followed up on anti-crush video legislation backed by Buchanan in 2010, which made it illegal to distribute video of animals being tortured and killed. That affected the media distribution of the cruelty, but the new legislation will make the underlying acts hurting animals a federal offense.

“Protecting animals from cruelty is a top priority for me,” Buchanan said. It has been for years as the Republican congressman set himself apart on issues involving animals. He’s also worked to bring in organizations like the National Sheriffs Association to support bills like the PACT Act.

Buchanan said he’s also pressing U.S. Fish and Wildlife to withdraw a decision to reduce protections on manatees, and called for a federal designation of a critical habitat for the Florida Panther. He recently successfully lobbied the  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to list the Gulf of Mexico whale on the federal Endangered Species list.

Photo courtesy Humane Society. The Humane Society in May gave Vern Buchanan a Legislative Leader Award.