119th Congress · introduced in the House · Mar 18, 2025
Mink VIRUS Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Apr 18, 2025): Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Agriculture and Food
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in House (Mar 18, 2025)
Mink: Vectors for Infection Risk in the United States Act or the Mink VIRUS Act
This bill prohibits the farming of mink for their fur beginning one year after the bill's enactment and establishes a compensation program.
Beginning 90 days after the bill's enactment, any termination of farmed mink must be done in a manner that (1) meets the definition of euthanasia specified in Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations (i.e., the humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that produces rapid unconsciousness and subsequent death without evidence of pain or distress, or that utilizes anesthesia that causes painless loss of consciousness and subsequent death); and (2) is classified as acceptable by the American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals.
This prohibition and these requirements do not preempt or limit any state law or regulation that is more restrictive. Further, any person in violation of this prohibition or these requirements is subject to civil penalties.
USDA must establish a payment program to compensate fur farm owners whose operations involve the farming of mink. Under the program, USDA must provide payments for (1) the reasonable costs incurred to comply with this bill, and (2) the market value of the portion of the farm involving mink farming (exclusive of the land). Fur farm owners may not use payment funds for fur farm operations. Further, the owner must provide USDA with a permanent property easement that prohibits the operation of any fur farm on the easement area.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsCoverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 24, 2026.
16 citations.
ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE FKA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION · lobbying firm or registrant: ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE FKA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Animals
$20,000
Spent on own lobbying
…an consumption. *SWIMS Act -- To prohibit the taking, importation, exportation, and breeding of certain cetaceans for public display, and for other purposes. * HR 2185 Mink VIRUS Act -- to end the farming of mink for fur, after a one-year phase-out period, and establish a USDA grant program to reimburse mink farmers for the f…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BORN FREE USA · lobbying firm or registrant: TAI GINSBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 17, 2026 · issue area: Animals
$10,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…e legislation, including the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 3199/S. 1594), the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act (H.R. 4108/no bill number), the Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185/no bill number), and the ProTECT Act (H.R. 1934). Outreach related to the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND · lobbying firm or registrant: ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 20, 2026 · issue area: Animals
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
…g the Food Security and Farm Protection Act (S.1326); the Save our Bacon Act (H.R. 4673); the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.3199/S.1594); the Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185); the OCTOPUS Act (S.1947); Canyons Law (H.R. 4180/ S.2179); the Pigs and Public Health Act (H.R. 4757); the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act (H.R. 5286)…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE FKA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION · lobbying firm or registrant: ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE FKA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 16, 2026 · issue area: Animals
$30,000
Spent on own lobbying
…s. HR 5286Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act -- To develop an enforcement mechanism with respect to certain provisions relating to the transport of animals HR 2185Mink VIRUS Act - To protect public health and human safety by prohibiting the farming of mink for their fur, to compensate farmers as they transition out of the…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
HUMANE WORLD ACTION FUND · lobbying firm or registrant: HUMANE WORLD ACTION FUND AND AFFILIATES (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HUMANE SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE FUND)
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 21, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$250,000
Spent on own lobbying
…(H.R.1842) ProTECT Act (H.R. 1934) Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies (OCTOPUS) Act (S. 1947) Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185) Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibition Act (H.R. 2976) Providing for Unhoused People and Pets (PUPP) Act of 2025 (H.R.4921) Humane Transport of Farmed An…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BORN FREE USA · lobbying firm or registrant: TAI GINSBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 18, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$10,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…ife conservation and animal welfare legislation, including the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 3199/S. 1594), the ProTECT Act (H.R. 1934), the Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185), and the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act (H.R. 4108). Outreach related to the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE FKA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION · lobbying firm or registrant: ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE FKA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 17, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$30,000
Spent on own lobbying
…s. HR 5286Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act -- To develop an enforcement mechanism with respect to certain provisions relating to the transport of animals HR 2185Mink VIRUS Act - To protect public health and human safety by prohibiting the farming of mink for their fur, to compensate farmers as they transition out of the…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND · lobbying firm or registrant: ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 17, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
…g the Food Security and Farm Protection Act (S.1326); the Save our Bacon Act (H.R. 4673); the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.3199/S.1594); the Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185); the OCTOPUS Act (S.1947); Canyons Law (H.R. 4180/ S.2179); the Pigs and Public Health Act (H.R. 4757); depopulation; the ESA; the AWA; and appropriations.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
HUMANE WORLD ACTION FUND · lobbying firm or registrant: HUMANE WORLD ACTION FUND AND AFFILIATES (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HUMANE SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE FUND)
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 22, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$300,000
Spent on own lobbying
…/S.775) o Better CARE for Animals Act (H.R. 3112/S. 1538) o Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 1657) o Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 3199/S. 1594) o Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185) o ProTECT Act (H.R. 1934) o Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act (S.4365) o People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act (H.R.1842…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BORN FREE USA · lobbying firm or registrant: TAI GINSBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 18, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$10,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…ife conservation and animal welfare legislation, including the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 3199/S. 1594), the ProTECT Act (H.R. 1934), the Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185), and the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act (H.R. 4108). Outreach related to the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE FKA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION · lobbying firm or registrant: ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE FKA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 18, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$50,000
Spent on own lobbying
…rotection Act - To prevent States and local jurisdictions from interfering with the production and distribution of agricultural products in interstate commerce HR 2185Mink VIRUS Act - To protect public health and human safety by prohibiting the farming of mink for their fur, to compensate farmers as they transition out of the…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND · lobbying firm or registrant: ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 10, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$70,000
Spent on own lobbying
…, farmed, and wild animals, including the Food Security and Farm Protection Act (S.1326); the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.3199/S.1594); the Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185); the OCTOPUS Act (S.1947); Canyons Law (H.R. 4180/ S.2179); the Pigs and Public Health Act; depopulation; elephant ivory; the ESA; the AWA; and appropriations…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
HUMANE WORLD ACTION FUND · lobbying firm or registrant: HUMANE WORLD ACTION FUND AND AFFILIATES (FORMERLY KNOWN AS HUMANE SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE FUND)
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · amended · posted May 6, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$300,000
Spent on own lobbying
…Grizzly Bear State Management Act (H.R. 281, S. 445) oOppose ESA Amendments Act (H.R. 1897) oCaptive Primate Safety Act (Introduction Pending) oMink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185) oProTECT Act (H.R. 1934) oVeterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act (S.4365) Farm Bill oPuppy Protection Act (H.R.) (H.R.2253) oBe…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND · lobbying firm or registrant: ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 18, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$60,000
Spent on own lobbying
…Suppression (EATS) Act (no bill number); the Pigs and Public Health Act (no bill number); the Captive Primate Safety Act (no bill number); the Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185); the OCTOPUS Act (no bill number); the Farm Bill (no bill number); depopulation; the ESA; the AWA; and appropriations.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
BORN FREE USA · lobbying firm or registrant: TAI GINSBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 17, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$10,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…fe conservation and animal welfare legislation, including the Captive Primate Safety Act (no bill number), the ProTECT Act (H.R. 1934), and the Mink VIRUS Act (H.R. 2185). Outreach related to the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE FKA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION · lobbying firm or registrant: ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE FKA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 11, 2025 · issue area: Animals
$30,000
Spent on own lobbying
…the transportation of horses in interstate transportation in a motor vehicle containing 2 or more levels stacked on top of one another, and for other purposes. HR 2185Mink VIRUS Act - To protect public health and human safety by prohibiting the farming of mink for their fur, to compensate farmers as they transition out of the…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing