By a vote of 34-30, the United States House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed its five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill, which includes a bipartisan amendment to prohibit the transportation of horses for slaughter for human consumption.
Following passage out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the bill now awaits consideration on the House floor. The amendment was led by U.S. Reps. Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey Republican, and Dina Titus, a Nevada Democrat, joined by Reps. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, and Jimmy Patronis, a Florida Republican.
The Van Drew-Titus Amendment achieves the same policy goal as the Save America's Forgotten Equines Act, more commonly known as the SAFE Act (H.R.1661/S.775), which has 230 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives. The amendment's exact language was also included in the surface transportation reauthorization package that passed the full House of Representatives in the 117th Congress; however, the amendment to include such language in the Senate package was not brought for a vote.
"America's horses helped build this country. They carried our soldiers into battle, worked our farms, and remain beloved companions to millions of Americans today," Van Drew said in a release. "They deserve dignity and humane treatment, not to be packed into dangerous trailers and shipped across our borders for slaughter. I am proud this amendment was included in the final BUILD America 250 Act because it takes an important step toward protecting these animals from unnecessary suffering."
A ban on the transportation of horses for slaughter is backed by equine industry groups, as well as leading animal welfare organizations
"As a longtime and active supporter of the SAFE Act, The Jockey Club is encouraged to see an amendment to the House Transportation bill now includes the provisions to make it illegal under federal law to transport horses for slaughter," said Jim Gagliano, president of The Jockey Club. "We join with the many other supporters of the SAFE Act in urging Congress to now pass this important act that will protect Thoroughbreds in the United States."
READ: SAFE Act Needed to Save Thoroughbreds Once And For All
"The NTRA is very happy to see language included in the Transportation and Infrastructure Reauthorization that would keep horses in the U.S. safe and unable to be shipped out of the country for slaughter," said Tom Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. "Horses in our care are world-class athletes, and it is imperative that we take care of them even when their racing days are over. This language safeguards our equine partners from any harmful loopholes. We would like to thank all our partners in Washington and across the country for helping to get this done."
"Protecting these horses requires industries, advocates, and lawmakers willing to confront difficult issues directly," said Aidan Butler, president of track operator 1/ST Racing. "This action by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marks meaningful progress toward lasting protections for America's horses, and 1/ST is proud to stand alongside the Lost Horses campaign, bipartisan lawmakers, and the broader racing and equine community to help drive that change forward."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
