How we treat animals is a reflection of our values and our future. I believe animals are not property, not commodities, and not disposable. They are living beings, many of them capable of suffering, of affection, of fear, and even joy.

Our public policy must reflect a basic moral truth: Animals are entitled to live lives free from cruelty, neglect, and unnecessary suffering.

As philosopher Martha Nussbaum argues, justice must extend beyond the human. If we believe in dignity, then we must work to ensure that animalslike peoplehave the capabilities they need to flourish in accordance with their nature. That is the moral project of our time.

I support expanding and modernizing the federal Animal Welfare Act to cover more species, close loopholes, and enforce meaningful standards for care, housing, transport, and research.

Feeding a growing world is no small task and farmers are doing some of the hardest, most essential work on the planet. But without meaningful guardrails, our food system has allowed unimaginable suffering to become routine.

In industrial factory farms, animals are often treated as units of production rather than living beings: confined in cages barely larger than their bodies, denied daylight or movement, and subjected to painful procedures without anesthesia.

This is not the future of food. And it should never be the price of dinner.

I believe we must chart a path toward a more ethical, sustainable food system one that respects animals, supports farmers, and feeds people without cruelty.

As your representative, I will fight to:

• - Ban extreme confinement practices like gestation crates and battery cages
• - Enforce humane slaughter standards and oversight of meatpacking operations
• - Invest in alternatives to factory farming, including:
• - Plant-based proteins
• - Cultivated (lab-grown) meat
• - Regenerative and pasture-based agriculture
• - Support farmers transitioning to more humane, climate-conscious models

We can’t just put a band-aid on a broken system. We need to invest in the future of food one that is sustainable, humane, and equitable for all.

We don’t have to choose between feeding people and protecting animals. We can and must do both.

Millions of animals suffer and die each year in unnecessary experiments. I support ending animal testing for cosmetics and household products, and pushing for rigorous, transparent alternatives in biomedical research wherever possible.

With today’s rapid advances in biotechnology and computing, we now have powerful toolslike organ-on-a-chip systems, advanced modeling software, and AI-driven simulation that can replace outdated and often unreliable animal testing. These technologies not only reduce suffering but also offer results that are more precise, more humane, and often more relevant to human biology.

Our goal should be to eliminate the need for animal testing altogether and with smart investment and bold leadership, that future is within reach.

I will support national legislation to ban abusive breeding operations, shut down illegal trafficking, and ensure animals bred for sale are treated with decency.

Habitat destruction and climate change are not just human issues they threaten the very existence of species. I will fight to:

Inspired by legal reforms abroad, I support efforts to formally recognize animals as sentient beings under U.S. law. This opens the door for stronger protections and a more just legal framework.

The human relationship to animals is one of power and too often, we have abused it. In labs, in cages, in factory farms, and even in our homes, animals are vulnerable to suffering we could prevent, if only we had the will to act.

This isn’t about sentimentality. It’s about justice. Justice means extending our circle of moral concern to those who cannot speak for themselves but who feel, who fear, and who deserve more than silence.

I believe compassion is not weakness. It’s a form of strength.

In Congress, I will be a consistent voice for animal welfare not just because it’s the humane thing to do, but because it reflects the kind of society we’re trying to build: one of empathy, care, and shared dignity across species.

I’m Justin Ford, and I’m running for Congress in Illinois’ 9th District.

Because the measure of our progress isn’t just how we treat each other it’s how we treat those with no power at all.