WATCH Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 1104Health

WATCH Act

INTRO MAR 25· LAST ACTION MAR 25

READING

3MIN

COSPONSORS

6BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters to voters because it addresses concerns about animal welfare in scientific research funded by U.S. tax dollars. Currently, foreign labs that receive NIH funding are expected to follow U.S. animal welfare guidelines, but there isn't a robust, regular inspection system to verify compliance. If this bill becomes law, it would establish a formal, recurring inspection process, creating greater accountability for how research animals are treated overseas.

Without this bill, the U.S. government relies more heavily on assurances from foreign labs themselves. Its passage would mean more direct oversight and transparency, potentially improving the humane treatment of animals in U.S.-funded research globally. If it doesn't become law, the current system would continue, meaning U.S. agencies would have less direct verification of animal welfare practices in foreign facilities receiving federal funds.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires quarterly inspections of foreign laboratories receiving U.S. federal funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for animal research.

This establishes a consistent and frequent oversight mechanism to ensure animal welfare standards are met by foreign entities.

PROVISION 02

Mandates that these inspections evaluate compliance with animal care committees, review of animal treatment, and proper record-keeping procedures.

It specifies the key aspects of animal welfare that the inspections must cover, ensuring comprehensive checks.

PROVISION 03

Requires the issuance of publicly accessible certificates of compliance for laboratories that pass inspections.

This increases transparency for taxpayers and stakeholders regarding which foreign labs meet animal welfare standards.

PROVISION 04

Authorizes the suspension or revocation of NIH grants or contracts for foreign laboratories that fail to comply and do not take corrective action.

This provides a strong enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance with animal welfare requirements.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 6

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%

DEM 3 REP 3 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAR 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 1104

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedMar 25, 2025

Last actionMar 25, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 25, 2025

Senate BillS 1104Health

WATCH Act

INTRODUCED MAR 25, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 25, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

3 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires quarterly inspections of foreign laboratories receiving U.S. federal funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for animal research.

This establishes a consistent and frequent oversight mechanism to ensure animal welfare standards are met by foreign entities.

med

Mandates that these inspections evaluate compliance with animal care committees, review of animal treatment, and proper record-keeping procedures.

It specifies the key aspects of animal welfare that the inspections must cover, ensuring comprehensive checks.

med

Requires the issuance of publicly accessible certificates of compliance for laboratories that pass inspections.

This increases transparency for taxpayers and stakeholders regarding which foreign labs meet animal welfare standards.

high

Authorizes the suspension or revocation of NIH grants or contracts for foreign laboratories that fail to comply and do not take corrective action.

This provides a strong enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance with animal welfare requirements.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

180 days after the date of enactment

Effective date of the amendments made by the Act

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
administrative	Suspension or revocation of applicable grant, contract, or cooperative agreement	Foreign laboratories that receive Federal funds and fail to comply with animal welfare requirements after a reasonable opportunity for corrective action

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Public Health Service Act: A major U.S. law that gives the federal government broad authority to improve the health of the American people, including establishing agencies like the National Institutes of Health and regulating public health activities.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): A U.S. government agency that is the largest biomedical research agency in the world, funding a significant portion of medical research in the United States and abroad.
Biomedical and behavioral research: Scientific studies focused on understanding health, disease, and behavior in humans and animals, often to develop new treatments or prevention strategies.
Animal Welfare Assurance: A formal commitment by a research institution to the U.S. Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, stating they will comply with federal policies for the humane care and use of animals in research.
Grant, contract, or cooperative agreement: Different types of financial support or legal arrangements from the U.S. government to organizations (like research labs) to carry out specific projects or services.
Secretary: Refers to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who leads the department that oversees public health and welfare.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAR 25, 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 25, 25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

INTROREFERRAL

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Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions CommitteeReferred

Mar 25, 2025

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WATCH Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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