{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-menendez-luttrell-mciver-introduce-legislation-pilot-cbp-canine-home", "Reps. Menendez, Luttrell, McIver Introduce Legislation to Pilot CBP Canine Home Kenneling Program", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Representatives Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), and LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) introduced the bipartisan CBP Canine Home Kenneling Pilot Act, establishing a pilot program within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection\u2019s (\u201cCBP\u201d) Office of Field Operations to allow handlers to kennel their working canines at home rather than in a contracted third-party facility.\n\nCurrently, canines working in CBP Field Operations at ports of entry are kenneled at contracted third-party facilities. This legislation directs the CBP to establish a pilot program to determine whether home kenneling would be beneficial to both the canines and their handlers.\n\n\u201cCBP canines and their handlers are on the front lines of protecting our country and keeping our communities safe,\u201d said Congressman Rob Menendez. \u201cIt would seem to be common sense \u2013 and in keeping with the practices of law enforcement agencies across the country \u2013 that it is in the best interest of both the canine and its handler to remain together even after their shifts are complete. I\u2019m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in moving this legislation forward.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to support this common-sense pilot program that prioritizes the well-being of CBP\u2019s highly trained canines and their handlers, while enhancing operational efficiency,\u201d said Congressman Luttrell. \u201cWith proper training, oversight, and regular progress reports to Congress, this program will give us the data needed to make informed decisions that benefit CBP\u2019s frontline personnel and strengthen our nation\u2019s security.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur bipartisan bill to establish a canine home kenneling pilot program provides a commonsense solution that will benefit both the dogs and their handlers,\u201d said Congresswoman McIver. \u201cThe pilot program will increase efficiency and wellbeing of canines on the frontlines, like it has done for other agencies at DHS. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues to support and improve the livelihood of the people and canines at the forefront of our national security.\u201d\n\n\u201cGiving CBP Canine Enforcement Officers the choice to kennel their canine partners at home is an idea that came directly from NTEU members, and we are grateful to Reps. Menendez, Luttrell, and McIver, who heard their concerns and introduced the CBP Canine Home Kenneling Pilot Act,\u201d said Doreen Greenwald, National President of the National Treasury Employees Union. \u201cCanine Enforcement Officers who work at the ports have reported substandard conditions at their local kennels, endangering the dogs\u2019 health and job performance. We think CBP Officers should have the option to home kennel, just like other agencies with the Department of Homeland Security, and we strongly urge Congress to enact this law on behalf of the law enforcement officers who work at the nation\u2019s airports, seaports and land-based ports of entry.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "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://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-menendez-luttrell-mciver-introduce-legislation-pilot-cbp-canine-home"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9505320340394974, "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"}