The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act Unanimously Passes the U.S. House of Representatives

Today, September 29, 2020, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (H.R.1754) was unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Led by Congressman Andy Barr (D-KY) and Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY), this landmark legislation will create an independent regulatory authority responsible for establishing uniform safety and competition standards for horse racing. ​The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators Feinstein (D-CA), Gillibrand (D-NY) and McSally (R-AZ), are leading the effort for its passage.

​The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, H.R.1754/S.4547, will recognize the newly formed Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), which will be tasked with creating uniform, national standards regarding prohibited and permitted substances for use in horses, setting up an accreditation system for labs to test drug samples, and developing regional standards regarding racetrack safety.

​“With today’s HISA passage in the House, we continue our momentum and move one step closer toward historic reform for the horse racing industry,” said Congressman Barr. “This legislation, developed through a highly deliberative and bipartisan process, will ensure the safety of our equine athletes and increase the popularity, public confidence, and international competitiveness of the sport."

​“After nearly six years working to advance this bipartisan legislation to modernize horseracing in the United States, we are at long last rounding the final turn,” Congressman Tonko said. “Our Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act puts the health and well-being of our equine athletes and jockeys firmly at the center of the sport, and delivers commonsense medication and track safety standards that will lift this noble sport to higher standards of integrity and safety."

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HELP PROTECT RACEHORSES 

With the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in the U.S. House, we now need to focus on the U.S. Senate. Please contact your two U.S. Senators and ask them to cosponsor and support S.4547 without delay! 

TAKE ACTION

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