WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 3965 · 119th Congress

PEARL Act

Passed HouseImmigration
IntroducedJun 12, 2025
Passed HouseNov 19, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Nov 20, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

What it does

Sourced

Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love Act or the PEARL Act

This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to establish a pilot program to adopt dogs from local animal shelters to be trained as support dogs for CBP’s Support Canine Program. Support dogs are used for grief assistance, trauma mitigation, and morale.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jun 12, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Nov 20, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.Senate
  2. Nov 19, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Nov 19, 2025On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4786)House floor actions
  4. Nov 19, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4786)Library of Congress
  5. Nov 19, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3965.House floor actions
  6. Nov 19, 2025Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4786)House floor actions
  7. Nov 19, 2025Mr. Guest moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
  8. Sep 30, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 268.House floor actions
  9. Sep 30, 2025Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-314.House floor actions
  10. Sep 30, 2025Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-314.Library of Congress
  11. Jun 25, 2025Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.House committee actions
  12. Jun 25, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  13. Jun 25, 2025Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement DischargedHouse committee actions
  14. Jun 12, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.House committee actions
  15. Jun 12, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.House floor actions
  16. Jun 12, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  17. Jun 12, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Cosponsors

  • J. Luis Correa D-CA-46
  • Donald G. Davis D-NC-1
  • Monica De La Cruz R-TX-15
  • Brian K. Fitzpatrick R-PA-1
  • Timothy M. Kennedy D-NY-26
  • Michael Lawler R-NY-17
  • Seth Magaziner D-RI-2
  • Nicole Malliotakis R-NY-11
  • Michael T. McCaul R-TX-10
  • Jared Moskowitz D-FL-23
  • Pete Stauber R-MN-8
  • Shri Thanedar D-MI-13