Horses are not livestock, but they are currently classified and being handled as such, and the results are horrifying and heartbreaking. To save them, our equine friends need our human voices to speak for them; we must continue to press our representatives to continue progressing SAFE Act HR 961.
The SAFE Act, HR 961, was introduced in 2019 to the 116th congress. After being shuffled to two different departments, it became just another bill left to die without making it to the Senate floor. Or anywhere else, for that matter.
Below are “All Actions” regarding this bill as listed under Congress.GOV:
-
02/04/2019 Introduced in House Action By: House of Representatives
-
02/04/2019 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Action By: House of Representatives
-
02/04/2019 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Action By: House of Representatives
-
(Publisher’s note: Interestingly enough, this is duplicated under “all actions” on the same date; this is not an editing mistake!)
-
-
03/01/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture. Action By: Committee on Agriculture
And there you have it…and now you don’t.
According to Gov.Track, a new congress sworn in results in legislation not passed being cleared. This bill’s past variations ended with the same results, so this isn’t necessarily due to the past congress or party affiliation.
However, do recognize horses are currently viewed as livestock, and remember how the Department of Agriculture does business. Lobbyists and money determine a great deal of our futures, and it is time to put pressure on all who can make a difference in how horses are categorized.
Any bill introduced should remove horses from the livestock category. Horses should not be regulated as foodstuff, because a lot of what goes on a horse should not necessarily go in your mouth. The use of pesticides, wormers, and antibiotics all contribute to the fact that horses should not be considered food for the table.
This link lists all 237 U.S. Representatives who previously co-sponsored the H R 961, which can be filtered by state or party affiliation. While I found none in my district, hopefully you will find one in yours. Call or write to those who represent you and demand that another bill be introduced. If they are still in office and were willing to sponsor this bill in 2019, perhaps they will do so again! Anyone can introduce the idea of a bill, but only a representative can sponsor and introduce an actual bill. The real work comes after the introduction.
HRL will continue to monitor the progress of this bill, and work diligently with other organizations to change the future of horses. We hope you’ll do the same.
You can also revisit additional stories by HRL surrounding this topic (content warnings apply):
