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National HBPA Hires Legislative Affairs Team

The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has hired a Washington, D.C.-based firm to handle its legislative affairs given the organization is no longer a member of the NTRA.

Tax Changes for Horse Owners Take Effect

Federal legislation extending payroll tax deductions didn't extend the Section 179 expense deduction or 100% bonus depreciation, the American Horse Council reported Jan. 3.

Ban on Horse-Meat Inspection Funds Reversed

A change in legislative language could lead to the re-opening of horse slaughter plans in the United States. A ban on funding for federal inspections of horse meat has been reversed.

Anti-Slaughter Bill Introduced in U.S. House

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act was introduced in the House of Representatives by Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Burton of Indiana Sept. 19 as a companion to legislation already introduced in the U.S. Senate.

Internet Poker Bill Introduced in Congress

Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Barton of Texas has introduced legislation that would legalize Internet poker but no other forms of online casino gambling.

Horse Slaughter Bill Back in Play in Congress

Legislation that would ban the transport of horses for the purposes of slaughter has been re-introduced in the United States Senate.

AAEP Urges Caution on Federal Drug Bill

The American Association of Equine Practitioners has expressed concern with "very broad language" in federal legislation geared toward use of performance-enhancing drugs in racehorses.

Equine Drug Bill Introduced by Congressmen

Two members of Congress introduced legislation May 4 authorizing penalties for those caught using performance-enhancing drugs in racehorses.

Racing Keeps Eye on Internet Poker Bill

The pari-mutuel industry could end up with some benefits should Congress opt to use legalization of Internet poker to help fund continuation of broad tax cuts agreed upon by Republicans and President Obama.

Industry Hoping to Avoid ADW Disruptions

The pari-mutuel industry is taking steps to avoid disruptions to advance deposit wagering stemming from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.

NTRA, Jockey Club Respond to Congressmen

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Jockey Club have released their responses to two members of Congress requesting an update on steps the horse racing industry has taken to address equine health and safety.

Read Responses

Officials: Compact Comes at Critical Point

Uniform regulation got a major push from industry participants April 13 amid funding deficiencies for regulatory agencies and word a member of Congress is exploring creation of national commission for Thoroughbred racing.

Report Looks at Human Health, Safety Issues

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has issued a report outlining recommendations for improving the safety and health of workers in the horse racing industry.

Bill Would End Ban on Internet Gambling

A bill that would end a ban on wagering online in the United States was introduced May 6 by Democratic Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts.

Bill to Bag Withholding Tax Introduced

Legislation that would eliminate the automatic 25% federal withholding on pari-mutuel winnings of $5,000 or more on wagers of at least 300-1 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives July 29.

Forum: 'Other Side' of Equine Welfare

A July 18 forum on equine welfare and safety gave participants a chance to offer a perspective not provided during a June congressional hearing at which the horseracing industry was slammed, horsemen said.

Strategic Plan for Horse Safety in Works

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is formulating a "strategic plan" for equine health and safety and will seek support from various industry organizations when the document is released, probably in early fall.

Hearing Shows Racing at Critical Point

Drugged equines, grisly catastrophic breakdowns, greedy breeders, damaged racehorses with nowhere to go, inaction and confusion, and industry leaders more concerned with holding onto power than doing the right thing -- a congressional subcommittee heard it all June 19 during a hearing in Washington, D.C.

Industry on Notice at Start of Hearings

Members of a Congressional subcommittee looking into practices of the horse racing and breeding industries began a hearing June 19 with warnings that they need to get their house in order to ward off government involvement.

Unwanted Horses: How Serious a Problem?

It tends to get lost in the shuffle because it's not as sexy as anabolic steroids, race-fixing, or catastrophic breakdowns from a media perspective. But talk to people who work in the horse industry every day, and they'll tell you the issue of unwanted horses is serious and so broad it impacts the entire United States, not just the horseracing industry.

Groups Have Say Before D.C. Hearing

As the House Subcommittee on Commerce and Consumer Protection prepared for a June 19 hearing on the horseracing industry, groups continued to weigh in on various issues, including use of anabolic steroids in racehorses.

Horsemen to Talk Equine Health, Safety

The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association will tackle equine health and welfare issues at a two-hour forum July 18 during its summer convention in Hershey, Pa.

Congress Calls June 19 Hearing on Racing

The United States House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a hearing -- "Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse" -- for June 19 in Washington, D.C.

No Date Yet for D.C. Racing Hearing

The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection continues to maintain it will hold a June hearing on horse racing, but no date had been set as of June 2.

PA Gaming Board Supports Equine Welfare

Though it has no regulatory oversight of equine health and safety, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has adopted a resolution saying it supports the state's efforts to "invest in horse health and welfare."

Congress May Call June Hearing on Racing

A congressional subcommittee could schedule a hearing as early as June to examine breakdowns, medication use, and breeding practices in Thoroughbreds.

Congress Wants Info on Breakdowns, Drugs

A congressional subcommittee has demanded information from state racing commissions about racehorse breakdowns, drug use, and breeding.

Farm Bill Passes; Bush Veto Expected

The United States House of Representatives and Senate have passed the Farm Bill, and it appears there will be enough votes to override an expected veto by President Bush.

More Organizations Join AHC 'Cavalry'

The "Congressional Cavalry," organized by the American Horse Council and some of its member organizations in an effort to better serve the horse industry in Congress, continues to grow in numbers, officials said.

Is Compact Answer to Federal Regulation?

The National Racing Compact, which currently authorizes multi-jurisdictional licensing for the pari-mutuel industry, is being offered as an alternative to possible federal regulation of aspects of the horseracing industry.

Commentary: A Matter of Integrity

By Rep. Ed Whitfield - Three years ago, Congress examined the explosion of steroid use plaguing Major League Baseball. The integrity of the game was called into question and a dark cloud was cast over America's favorite pastime.

Commentary: A Reasonable Approach

By Alex Waldrop - On Feb. 27, I appeared before a Congressional Subcommittee for a hearing entitled, "Drugs in Sports: Compromising the Health of Athletes and Undermining the Integrity of Competition."

Waldrop Defends Testing Policies

A congressional subcommittee was told Feb. 27 that while testing for drugs in horse racing isn't perfect, the current model is both effective and ever-improving.

Congressman Criticizes Drug Policy

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield of Kentucky opened a Feb. 27 congressional hearing on the use of steroids in sports by claiming leaders of horse racing have repeatedly failed on promises to self-regulate medication issues.

Waldrop to Testify on Capitol Hill

National Thoroughbred Racing Association president and chief executive officer Alex Waldrop has been asked to testify in Washington, D.C., during a hearing titled "Drugs in Sports: Compromising the Health of Athletes and Undermining the Integrity of Competition."

Steroids Discussed in Washington

An impending Congressional hearing on steroid use in Major League Baseball -- and the possibility the inquiry could expand to other sports -- has led the Thoroughbred racing industry to take preemptive action on Capitol Hill.

Comments Sought on Proposed Internet Gambling Rules

The Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve System are taking public comment on proposed regulations to implement the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.

Immigration Bill Appears Dead--Indefinitely

The United States Senate postponed action June 28 on comprehensive immigration reform--perhaps until after the 2008 November election--when an effort to limit debate on the Senate floor failed to garner enough votes.

Anti-Slaughter Bill Still Awaits Vote in House

Horse slaughter opponents will have to start from scratch next Congressional session despite last-minute efforts asking for a Senate vote on the issue. The 109th Congressional session adjourned for the holidays Dec. 8 without taking action on the bill.

Anti-Slaughter Bill May Have to Wait Until After Break

It appears unlikely the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will be put to a vote before Congress breaks for the Fourth of July holiday.

Speakers Suggest More Study on Internet Gambling

Legislators from around the country were urged June 2 to study existing regulations in the United States and around the world before they alter their policy statement on Internet gambling.

Racing Exemptions Intact as Internet Wagering Bill Passes House Committee

Horse racing interests scored a significant victory in Congress Thursday morning when the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act that was favorably reported out of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee contained exemptions for account wagering on horse racing.

IHA Amendment Plan Progresses; Congress Sets Hearing

A member of Congress from Kentucky has drafted two pieces of legislation that would amend the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 to provide dedicated funding for workers' compensation insurance for jockeys, exercise riders, trainers, and backstretch workers.

Legality of Interstate Wagering Raised at Internet Hearing

As Congress continues to haggle over the scope and objective of the proposed Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, the racing industry again finds itself in disagreement with the Department of Justice over whether interstate simulcasts are legal under the federal law.

Immigration Reform Has Horse Industry on Alert

Representatives of the horse industry are among those lobbying to protect their interests as the United States Congress considers sweeping immigration reform.

Clinton: Horse Industry Has 'Significant' Impact in New York

Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York said individuals may not realize the economic importance of the horse industry to Empire state, and that even she was "a little surprised" when she saw the results of the most recent American Horse Council national economic impact study.

Horse Slaughter in U.S. to Continue

Despite congressional efforts to stop the practice of slaughtering horses in the United States for human consumption, the Agriculture Department announced Tuesday it would continue, the Associated Press reported.

Horse PAC Increases Size of Board of Directors

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has more than doubled the size of the board of directors of its political action committee in order to step up fund-raising efforts.

Most NTRA-Member Tracks Hike Jockeys' Insurance

Nine racetracks have increased their minimum on-track accident insurance for jockeys to $500,000 or $1 million since a Nov. 17, 2005 Congressional subcommittee hearing at which lawmakers examined jockey health, welfare, and safety issues.

Gertmenian: 'It Has to Go on Somebody's Head'

As members of the Jockeys' Guild senate attempt to get a handle on the organization's financial situation and prepare for a possible vote on a management change, embattled president Dr. Wayne Gertmenian indicated he intended to follow through on a promise to Guild members that he wouldn't quit.