What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
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.
Vote Breakdown · How Congress voted on HR.4638
House
228-190
PASSED
Independents
228 yea
190 nay
⚠️ 12 members broke with party on this vote
Action Timeline
2026-03-19
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
2026-03-19
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-03-19
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 190 (Roll no. 96). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2600)
2026-03-19
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 190 (Roll no. 96). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2600)
2026-03-19
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-03-19
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4638.
2026-03-19
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion
2026-03-19
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1115. (consideration: CR H2600-2606)
2026-03-17
Rule H. Res. 1115 passed House.
2026-03-16
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1115 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolu
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.4638 pass?
HR.4638 is still alive. Current stage: PASSED_ONE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.4638 do?
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.
Who sponsored HR.4638?
HR.4638 was sponsored by Ken Calvert (R-California).
Who voted against HR.4638?
12 members broke with their party on this vote.
Full Bill Text
119 HR 4638 EH: Federal Working Animal Protection Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4638 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Federal Working Animal Protection Act . 2. Inadmissibility and deportability related to harming animals used in law enforcement (a) Inadmissibility Section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (J) Harming animals used in law enforcement Any alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code (relating to harming animals used in law enforcement), is inadmissible. . (b) Deportability Section 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (G) Harming animals used in law enforcement Any alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code (relating to harming animals used in law enforcement), is deportable. . Passed the House of Representatives March 19, 2026. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
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