Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act aims to provide public health veterinary services to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to help prevent and control zoonotic diseases. It amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to allow the Secretary, through the Indian Health Service, to fund various services like vaccinations, surveillance, and animal neutering. The bill also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study regarding the delivery of oral rabies vaccines to wildlife in Arctic regions of the United States. Additionally, it updates the One Health framework by including the Director of the Indian Health Service.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill directly funds public health veterinary services for Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.
- Scored +7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill enhances public health by funding veterinary services to prevent zoonotic diseases affecting human health in Tribal communities.
- Scored +6
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill provides targeted public health resources specifically for Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Disease Prevention and Control: The bill allows for public health veterinary services such as vaccination, surveillance, and epidemiology to prevent and control zoonotic disease infection and transmission (Section 3(a)(1) and Section 3(b)).
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Animal Population Management: The inclusion of spaying and neutering services for domestic animals can help manage animal populations (Section 3(a)(1)(A)).
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Risk Reduction: The services provided are intended to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission or antimicrobial resistance in humans, food, or animals (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Targeted Arctic Protection: A feasibility study will evaluate the delivery and efficacy of oral rabies vaccines for wildlife species connected to rabies transmission in Arctic regions (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill enhances public health by funding veterinary services to prevent zoonotic diseases affecting human health in Tribal communities. Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak? — The bill strengthens disease surveillance and prevention through the One Health framework. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill directs a feasibility study on rabies vaccine efficacy in Arctic regions.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill directly funds public health veterinary services for Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill targets public health needs in rural and Tribal areas through veterinary services. Would farmers be better off under this? — The focus on zoonotic disease and animal health may provide secondary benefits to agricultural interests.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill addresses zoonotic disease control and wildlife management in the Arctic. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides veterinary services aimed at improving public health in rural and Tribal communities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill provides targeted public health resources specifically for Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates biennial reports to various Congressional committees. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the authority of the Indian Health Service to provide veterinary services.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds a feasibility study on oral rabies vaccines.
- 12/15/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 12/11/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8687; text: CR S8687)
- 9/29/2025
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-69.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 174.
- 3/5/2025
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii