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Congress is working on the FY18 Agriculture Appropriations bill, an annual government funding measure—and for several years advocates have succeeded in inserting language into that bill to prohibit the USDA from expending tax dollars on horse slaughterhouse inspections, which has essentially banned horse slaughter temporarily. But this amendment needs to be reinserted annually with each new funding measure, and this is the moment to make that happen. But the predatory horse slaughter industry has been lobbying furiously to stop the amendment, hoping to reopen cruel slaughter plants on U.S. soil. In fact, the appropriations committee in the other chamber, the House Appropriations Committee, rejected this amendment by a narrow 27-25 vote. The Senate Appropriations Committee stepped up, thanks to the leadership of NM's U.S. Senator Tom Udall, and adopted that same amendment on voice vote. But the fight doesn't stop there. We need to continue to make our voices heard so the defunding language is in the final bill passed by both chambers.
As if this wasn’t enough, the House Appropriations Committee has also stripped language in their FY18 Interior Appropriations bill that protects wild horses from slaughter—opening them up to falling into the hands of kill-buyers and meeting a gruesome death. This seems to follow the lead of President Trump's proposed budget that urged “euthanasia and unrestricted sale” of “excess” wild horses, a solution that is sure to lead to mass shootings of horses in their holding pens and sale to the highest-bidding slaughterhouse buyer. We need other U.S. Representatives and the U.S. Senate to make sure that the same language that has protected wild horses for years must remain in the final version of this bill.
Please take action to urge your Members of Congress to vote YES on measures defunding horse slaughter in the U.S in the Agriculture Appropriations bill, and to ensure that language protecting wild horses from slaughter is in the final Interior Appropriations bill.
Take action below to advocate for horses!
Please send a letter, and then follow up with an important phone call to your lawmaker’s Washington, DC office (U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121) to leave a message with their staff that echoes your written message.
Click below to personalize your letter. Add other facts, meaningful personal experiences, or other details that help your elected official understand why this issue important to you. Thank you for taking time to advocate for humane treatment of our horses!
No Subsidized Horse Slaughter! Please ensure protections for our horses in the FY18 Senate Interior Appropriations bill and Agriculture Appropriations bill!”
No Subsidized Horse Slaughter! Yes on amendments to protect our horses!”
Thank you!