Washington, D.C. – The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act led by Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) and Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) sailed through the House Energy and Commerce Committee markup. Today, Tonko submitted a manager’s amendment to H.R. 1754, revising their bill to reflect industry consensus and mirror legislation introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the Senate.
“Today marks a major milestone in our bipartisan efforts to implement historic and lasting reforms for the horse racing industry,” said Congressman Barr. “Our amended legislation incorporates feedback from an expanded group of industry stakeholders to create essential uniform medication and track safety standards to protect the safety of our equine and human athletes. I want to thank my colleague Paul Tonko for his continued work and advocacy on this issue, as well as the over 250 Members who co-sponsored this legislation for their support. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act has momentum in the House, and I look forward to getting it across the finish line and sending it to the President’s desk.”
“Today’s vote was a major step forward for our bipartisan efforts to bring greater safety and integrity to the noble sport of horse racing,” said Congressman Tonko. “Our bill delivers commonsense medication and track safety standards that protect our horses and jockeys, needed progress that will put this popular and historic sport on a more sustainable track for a bright and exciting future. Horse racing is more than the sport of kings, it also supports thousands of local jobs and drives vital economic activity across our region and in communities all across America. I thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Andy Barr for leading with me for all these years in our push for sensible, compassionate reform. My thanks to our colleagues on the Committee on Energy and Commerce for advancing this critical bill and I look forward to a vote in the full House and hopefully its enactment into law later this year.”
Congressman Barr has advocated for the development of uniform standards of competition in horseracing since entering Congress in 2013. Last week, Barr and Senator Mitch McConnell announced a consensus among prominent equine industry stakeholders that builds on the prior version of the Horseracing Integrity Act and was essential in progressing this legislation.