WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 4638 · 119th Congress

Federal Working Animal Protection Act

Passed HouseImmigration
IntroducedJul 23, 2025
Passed HouseMar 19, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Mar 19, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The House passed it 228–190. It would change 2 sections of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 4638 would change 2 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text as passed by the House (Mar 19, 2026).

8 U.S.C. 1182 Inadmissible aliens

  • (a) Classes of aliens ineligible for visas or admission added to · Sec. 2(a) · see the words

8 U.S.C. 1227

What the words would change: every change, in place (2)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)added (J)by H.R. 4638 Sec. 2(a)

    (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.

    The bill says: 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:

    Bill text · Current law (8 U.S.C. 1182)

  2. 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2)a new sectionadded (G)by H.R. 4638 Sec. 2(b)

    (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.

    The bill says: 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:

    Bill text

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jul 23, 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. Mar 19, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  2. Mar 19, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 190 (Roll no. 96). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2600) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  3. Mar 19, 2026Passed/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) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  4. Mar 19, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  5. Mar 19, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4638.House floor actions
  6. Mar 19, 2026Rule 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 to recommit on each bill.House floor actions
  7. Mar 19, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1115. (consideration: CR H2600-2606)House floor actions
  8. Mar 19, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.Senate
  9. Mar 17, 2026Rule H. Res. 1115 passed House.House floor actions
  10. Mar 16, 2026Rules 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 resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.House floor actions
  11. Dec 12, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 355.House floor actions
  12. Dec 12, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-407.House floor actions
  13. Dec 12, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-407.Library of Congress
  14. Nov 20, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.House committee actions
  15. Nov 20, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  16. Nov 18, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  17. Jul 23, 2025Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.House floor actions
  18. Jul 23, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  19. Jul 23, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Mar 19, 2026 · HousePassed 228–190
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 213 yes, 0 noD 15 yes, 190 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Don Bacon R-NE-2
  • Vern Buchanan R-FL-16
  • Elijah Crane R-AZ-2
  • Brian K. Fitzpatrick R-PA-1
  • Brandon Gill R-TX-26
  • Pat Harrigan R-NC-10
  • Darrell Issa R-CA-48
  • Nick LaLota R-NY-1
  • Nancy Mace R-SC-1
  • Tom McClintock R-CA-5
  • Dan Newhouse R-WA-4
  • Burgess Owens R-UT-4
Show 7 more cosponsors
  • Michael A. Rulli R-OH-6
  • Pete Stauber R-MN-8
  • W. Gregory Steube R-FL-17
  • Claudia Tenney R-NY-24
  • Thomas P. Tiffany R-WI-7
  • Daniel Webster R-FL-11
  • Roger Williams R-TX-25