{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-backs-american-bred-explosive-detection-dogs", "Barletta Backs American-bred Explosive Detection Dogs", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, the House Committee on Homeland Security passed a bill supporting the use of American-bred canines for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).\u00a0 H.R. 4577, the Domestic Explosives Detection Canine Capacity Building Act of 2017 would direct TSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a domestic dog breeding network to produce high quality, American-bred explosive detection dogs.\u00a0 \nCongressman Lou Barletta (PA-11), an original cosponsor of the bill, sees an upside for the University of Pennsylvania, one of two major American universities with expertise related to explosive detection dogs and dog breeding.\u00a0 \u201cThe University of Pennsylvania is a national leader in dog detection research,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \n\u201cThey have trained 75 dogs over the past five years with a very high, 93 percent graduation rate for detection work.\u00a0 I think if we leverage the expertise of universities like UPenn, we can really develop a robust American-bred dog network for explosive detection.\u00a0 In a time of increasing dangers from terrorism, America needs to focus resources on combatting that threat.\u00a0 This bill will utilize our nation\u2019s tremendous knowledge and research expertise, provided by schools like UPenn, to develop a critical resource in America\u2019s fight against terrorism.\u201d\u00a0 \nDr. Cindy Otto, Director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center at the University of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine, also sees the benefits of American-bred explosive detection dogs.\u00a0 \n\u201cWe know that detection dogs represent one of the most effective means to combat terrorism, but these dogs are in short supply and many programs rely on foreign sources of dogs,\u201d Dr. Otto said.\u00a0 \u201cAn American-bred Explosive Detection Dog network represents a tremendous opportunity to apply scientific principles to increase the availability, health, and success of detection dogs in support of national security. The knowledge that we have gained over the past 5 years at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center gives us the confidence that a collaborative breeding program will fill this critical need.\u201d \u00a0\nThe bill directs TSA and DHS to establish relationships with domestic canine breeders, proven vendors, leading veterinarians, and industry associations to create scientifically-grounded standards that reflect the latest in canine science.\u00a0 These standards are designed to improve canine breeding, health, and training to create a more robust supply of explosive detection dogs for America\u2019s national security. \nCurrently, the University of Pennsylvania is one of America\u2019s leading universities providing detection dog research.\u00a0 Barletta, a known advocate for animal related issues, sees \u201cman\u2019s best friend\u201d as a critical tool to America\u2019s homeland security arsenal.\u00a0 \n\u201cDogs are amazing animals,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI am very excited to link the exceptional research capabilities of America\u2019s universities like U. Penn. with our national security agencies in the fight against terrorism.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-backs-american-bred-explosive-detection-dogs"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4489979948848486, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}