Blog - From Energy Policy to... Pet Monkeys

At a time when Congress is dealing with an energy crisis and a meltdown of the U.S. economy, shouldn’t Harry Reid (D-NV) try to keep bills like this off the legislative schedule? I mean, seriously, is now really a good time for the Captive Primate Safety Act?

When the bill passed the House Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) took the cue and delivered the begged-for quote:

>"Maybe we should actually spend more time with human primate energy issues, rather than the non-human primate non-issue.”

I’m not saying the bill is bad or unnecessary. At at total cost of $17 million, It would ban the interstate trade of monkeys because, as pets, the pose health and safety risks. According to the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, “at least 100 people have been injured by captive primates over the past decade, including 29 children.” But Reid’s really giving Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) and his allies a good talking point as the Senate prepares to take up the Coburn Omnibus.