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As Expected, Feds Seeking Drug Regulation

As predicted by horsemen earlier this year, members of Congress are again preparing to introduce legislation that would regulate the use of medication in racehorses.

Horsemen Warned of Federal Drug Legislation

Horsemen expect members of Congress to make another attempt at winning support for legislation that would regulate medication use in racehorses by banning all race-day administration.

Horsemen Note Revised Immigration Rule

A new federal immigration rule will benefit the Thoroughbred industry, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association said Jan. 28.

Group Wants Racing Act to Regulate Medication

A new grassroots organization that opposes use of medication on race day wants involvement by the federal government in horse racing.

RCI Seeking More Information on Salix Use

The Association of Racing Commissioners International is reassessing its policy supporting race-day administration of furosemide, but also indicated much needs to be done before any change is made.

Equine Medication Focus of Senate Hearing

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has scheduled a hearing next week on "Medication and Performance Enhancing Drugs in Horse Racing."

House Panel Takes Action Against Slaughter

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has approved language that would prevent expenditures for the inspection of horse slaughter facilities -- and ultimately keep them from operating.

Industry Members Give Testimony to Congress

Members of Congress April 30 heard of problems in the Thoroughbred racing industry--most of them related to equine medication--but stopped short of a full endorsement of federal intervention.

Was Hearing a Self-Inflicted Black Eye?

Thoroughbred racing got further bruises April 30 during an allegation-ridden congressional hearing into equine health and medication issues that furthered a call for federal intervention--at least on some level.

Horse Council Sets National Issues Forum

The June 26 National Issues Forum offered by the American Horse Council in Washington, D.C., will focus on "Reinvigorating the Horse Industry," the organization said April 25.

Industry Wary of Congressional Hearing

Industry organizations are taking a wait-and-see approach to an April 30 hearing at which members of Congress will examine health and safety issues in horse racing--and whether progress has been made since the last hearing.

Congress Sets Hearing on Horse Racing

A subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce will conduct a hearing on health and safety issues in horse racing April 30 in Pennsylvania, according to an April 23 notice.

Udall Says 'Corruption' in Racing Alarming

A member of Congress who in 2011 co-sponsored federal legislation that would regulate safety and integrity in horse racing has renewed his call in the wake of a March 25 report in the New York Times.

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.