The House Judiciary Committee met this week to mark-up H.R. 6598, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act. Originally the bill was to be addressed last Wednesday but was pushed back a week. The committee did consider the bill, but no vote on the measure was taken before the committee adjourned.
Much of the horse industry is opposed to the legislation. This legislation, instead of protecting the welfare of horses, will actually cause greater problems, doing more harm to horses than protecting them.
According to a Judiciary Committee spokesperson, no decision has been made as to when the bill will be voted on; however, AQHA Members are encouraged to continue contacting their representatives in Congress to express their views on this legislation. If you oppose this bill, contact your representative in Congress today! Find your representative’s contact information at http://www.gohorseshow.com/links.cfm?pageID=8.
To view the bill in entirety and to find a list of cosponsors, go to www.thomas.gov and enter bill number H.R. 6598.