Tuna Labeling Act

            Here is a real example of how a special interest group introduces, lobbies, supports, and affects Congressional legislation. This example may not seem like the most important priority in the turbulent times we live in, but, it is a good example of how everyday common people are able to effect lawful changes in a democratic way.
             HSUS, The Humane Society of the United States has fought for animal rights and protection for fifty years now. They have fought for causes such as protecting animals from extinction, pain and distress in laboratory testing, killing for fur fashions, animal uses for food, as well as keeping the natural human-animal bond strong.
             Bill S. 130, The Truth In Tuna Labeling Act was sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer of California on January 9, 2003 and supported by HSUS. Its purpose is "to amend the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act to declare that a tuna product labeled "dolphin safe" violates the Federal Trade Commission Act unless it is accompanied by a certificate stating that no dolphins were intentionally chased or harassed during the particular voyage on which the tuna were caught using nets." .
             Its well known that dolphins swim with schools of tuna fish. Fishing trollers" nets commonly sweep up dolphins along with their tuna catch. This updated law wants to increase the protection of dolphins in the sea even further.
             HSUS has over 7,000,000 members and supporters worldwide and therefor is powerful and large enough to attract the attention of politicians to listen to issues concerning animals.
             Bill # S. 130 has yet to be passed by the House of Representatives, then the .
             Senate, and signed by the President before it becomes law. But one can rest assured that HSUS will lobby the members of the committees to pass the bill.