PROVIDING EMOTIONAL ASSISTANCE WITH RELIEF AND LOVE ACT

On 2026-09-16, Representative Seth Magaziner (D-RI-2) delivered a floor speech titled "PROVIDING EMOTIONAL ASSISTANCE WITH RELIEF AND LOVE ACT" in the House.

PROVIDING EMOTIONAL ASSISTANCE WITH RELIEF AND LOVE ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)] [House] [Pages H5895-H5896] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PROVIDING EMOTIONAL ASSISTANCE WITH RELIEF AND LOVE ACT Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9327) to establish in U.S. Customs and Border Protection a pilot program to adopt dogs from local animal shelters to be trained as support dogs, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 9327 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love Act'' or the ``PEARL Act''. SEC. 2. CBP SUPPORT DOG PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shall establish in CBP a pilot program to adopt dogs from local animal shelters to be trained as support dogs for CBP's Support Canine Program. (b) Duration.--The pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate three years after the date of its establishment. (c) No Additional Funds.--No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fuller). Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Van Epps) and the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Magaziner) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee. General Leave Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 9327. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Tennessee? There was no objection. Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9327, the Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love Act, or PEARL Act. [[Page H5896]] This bill would create a 3-year pilot program within CBP to provide for the adoption of dogs from local animal shelters to be trained and used as therapy dogs for frontline agents and officers. The bill is named after a yellow Labrador retriever named Pearl, who was the first canine support dog introduced to CBP in the Laredo sector, where she served the department faithfully until her retirement in April 2025. The frontline heroes of CBP operate in challenging conditions and face overwhelming stress day in and day out as they work to secure the homeland. The canine support program has been extremely popular. It helps to provide emotional support to the CBP workforce. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9327, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. MAGAZINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9327, the Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love Act, or the PEARL Act. The men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection face high levels of stress and exposure to trauma in their day-to-day operations. That is why we should invest in initiatives that support the health of CBP officers and agents. This bill creates a pilot program that authorizes CBP to adopt dogs from local animal shelters and train them as therapy dogs. Multiple studies have shown that even short-term interactions with a therapy dog can significantly reduce anxiety and distress. Not only will this bill give CBP officers and agents more access to therapy dogs, it will also help dogs in need of homes across the country. {time} 1130 Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Joyce). Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in strong support of my legislation, the Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love Act, also known as the PEARL Act. For years, the men and women of Customs and Border Protection have faced mental health challenges. From confronting the scourge of illicit fentanyl crossing our borders to witnessing the heartbreaking toll of human trafficking, including trafficking of unaccompanied minors, these officers deal with some of the most difficult emotional stresses that exist. In fiscal years 2016 through 2025, 81 CBP employees died by suicide. In 2023, CBP launched the Support Canine Program to boost morale and improve officers' mental health through therapy dogs. These canine teams, along with their Border Patrol chaplains and peer support staff, help with the daily trauma and grief these frontline heroes face on a daily basis. The program has been a widespread success. The PEARL Act is named after Pearl, as has been mentioned, a yellow lab, who was the first canine to join the Support Canine Program in the Laredo Border Patrol Sector. This bill builds on the program's success by creating a 3-year pilot program to allow dogs from local animal shelters to enter the program and be trained as therapy dogs. Not only will this pilot program help the men and women of the CBP, it will provide those shelter dogs a new lease on life. When we ask our CBP personnel to face difficult and often traumatic situations, we have a responsibility to ensure they have the resources and support necessary to meet the challenges of their work. That is why I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and demonstrate that Congress will always be supportive of the mental health of the Customs and Border Patrol personnel. Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. MAGAZINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, the PEARL Act. It is good for law enforcement. It helps dogs in need of homes, and it is a good bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9327, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Van Epps) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 9237, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR9237, HR9327