Budget Cuts Align with Ending Research Animal Abuse

The federal government allocates a staggering $20 billion annually in taxpayer money for animal research that many consider abusive, a fact that remains largely unknown to the American public, according to New York Representative Nicole Malliotakis.

The congresswoman recently highlighted this issue during an appearance on the Just the News, No Noise television show. She expressed concern about federal funds being used for inhumane experiments on animals in countries like China and Russia.

*”I don’t think most Americans know that their tax dollars are being used in this way to literally abuse animals with cruel, inhumane and unnecessary experiments that are not doing anything to improve public health,”* she remarked.

Malliotakis painted a grim picture of the situation, describing how hundreds of thousands of animals are confined in federal labs or facilities funded by U.S. taxpayers. These include cats, dogs, monkeys, rabbits, and other animals subjected to unnecessary tests across the country. She also noted that U.S. funds support experiments in nations that are not particularly friendly towards America.

The congresswoman raised specific concerns about “gain of function” experiments, like those conducted in Wuhan, China. These experiments aim to understand how viruses might mutate and spread but carry significant risks. A lab error could potentially lead to a more dangerous virus.

*”We also saw that there was animal testing taking place in the Wuhan lab, and we were funding these experiments,”* Malliotakis stated, emphasizing the potential danger.

Malliotakis referred to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which some groups, including the CIA, suspect as the origin of the COVID-19 leak. Researchers from this lab collaborated with New York-based EcoHealth Alliance on bat-virus research, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health around the time COVID was first identified in Wuhan, as reported by Science magazine.

EcoHealth Alliance has denied these allegations, including the claim that the virus originated from and was leaked by the lab. *”EcoHealth Alliance strongly refutes these allegations,”* the group stated in June 2024, noting that they’ve issued numerous statements to the press to counter these claims, which they argue are false but thrive in a complex political environment.

Malliotakis is actively working with the government watchdog group White Coat Waste Project to bring to light inhumane experiments funded by the NIH. One such controversial experiment involved beagles, whose heads were reportedly locked in mesh cages filled with sand flies, allowing the insects to eat the dogs alive.

The NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has confirmed funding some research using beagles, but it denied involvement in a specific project in Tunisia that drew widespread attention on social media.

The White Coat Waste Project has proposed a 100-day plan for the Trump administration to cease federal funding of animal abuse, aiming to save $20 billion in taxpayer money. Malliotakis is the driving force behind the HELP PETS Act, which aims to cut federal funding to universities and colleges that conduct inhumane animal experiments. She recently reintroduced the bill as Republicans focus on trimming excessive government spending and asserting control over the White House and Congress, following the Biden administration.

In addition, Malliotakis supports Goldie’s Act, a proposed law that mandates the USDA to inform state and local law enforcement agencies about cases of animal abuse. The congresswoman’s efforts reflect a broader Republican strategy to address government overreach and fiscal irresponsibility, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used more judiciously.

Malliotakis’s advocacy underscores a commitment to animal welfare and responsible spending, resonating with many who share her concerns. By shedding light on these issues, she hopes to galvanize public support and legislative action to bring about meaningful change.

These initiatives come at a time when debates over government spending and ethical research practices are increasingly prominent in the public discourse. Malliotakis’s work aligns with the values of those who prioritize fiscal responsibility and humane treatment of animals, offering a clear path forward in addressing these critical issues.

Her efforts also highlight the need for transparency and accountability in how taxpayer money is spent, particularly when it involves controversial practices. As the conversation around animal research and government expenditure continues to evolve, Malliotakis’s leadership offers a vital perspective in the ongoing dialogue.