GAO Urges Congress to Modernize Animal Transport Law

The U.S. Government Accountability Office is urging Congress to modernize the 153-year-old Twenty-Eight Hour Law governing interstate livestock transportation. The law requires animals transported longer than 28 consecutive hours to receive at least five hours for feed, water, and rest, but the GAO found that it addresses only part of the factors affecting animal welfare during transportation.

The GAO identified six areas Congress should address: confinement duration, environmental conditions, animals’ fitness for travel, driver training and preparedness, vehicle and driving safety, and sanitation. The report also found limited federal monitoring and enforcement. Between 2013 and 2025, USDA investigated 23 possible violations but referred only one to the Department of Justice, resulting in no enforcement action. The GAO recommends clarifying federal agencies’ responsibilities, authorizing monitoring and administrative enforcement, strengthening penalties, and updating the law to better protect livestock, reduce disease transmission, and prevent economic losses.