WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales’ (TX-23) bill, the PEARL Act, cleared the House Homeland Security Committee. Congressman Gonzales’ bipartisan legislation allows animals from local shelters to be trained up as support dogs for Customs and Border Protection personnel.  The PEARL Act is co-led by Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46).

 

“The PEARL Act is named after a special, and newly retired, support canine that helped our Border Patrol Agents get through some very tough times,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “The PEARL Act will give our law enforcement one more tool to improve mental health outcomes at CBP. Today, the House Homeland Security Committee passed this legislation to support the hardworking men and women who defend our borders every day.”

 

Background:

The PEARL Act supports Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) efforts to address mental health challenges at the agency by providing support canines for CBP personnel. Since 2007, over 150 Border Patrol Agents and CBP employees have died by suicide. In January 2023, CBP launched the Support Canine Program, which aims to mitigate the spike in mental health crises among CBP personnel. If enacted, the PEARL Act would establish a pilot program through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adopt dogs from local animal shelters and enhance the Support Canine Program.

 

Click here to watch Congressman Gonzales’ remarks on the PEARL Act.

 

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