Page 26 midwest horse digest February 09
of Equine Cruelty Act. Neither bill was
111
th
Congress Faces
voted on in the House or Senate, but it
is likely the same bills will be
reintroduced. The election of
New Issues and Old
Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA)
as chairman of the House Energy and
Commerce Committee, replacing
The 111th extend both provisions in this year’s stimulus
Congressman John Dingell (D-MI),
Congress has con- bill. As Congress considers these bills it will be
could impact the passage of the slaughter
vened and the important to remind Congress of the $102
prohibition bill. That committee has jurisdiction
Democrats have picked up seats in both the billion impact of the horse industry and the 1.4
and Congressman Waxman was a cosponsor
House and Senate. The country also has a million jobs the industry supports.
of it in the last Congress, while Mr. Dingell was
new President, Barack Obama, who will take In the “old” category, the last
not.
office on January 20. President Obama will Congress tried to enact comprehensive
Members of Congress can be
have to deal with some of the most difficult immigration reform several times, but failed.
expected to look at animal welfare in general,
issues a new President has faced in modern The problems with immigration and a large
including the welfare of horses, in the 111th
times. undocumented work force have not gone away
Congress. Some members raised welfare
Many are wondering what these and Congress will have to deal with this,
issues regarding racing and showing last year
changes will mean for the horse industry. “For although it is not likely to be one of the first
and there is no reason to think that will not be
the most part, issues affecting the horse indus- issues to be considered.
a concern again.
try are not partisan,” noted AHC president Jay The horse industry relies heavily on
Legislation was introduced in the
Hickey. “Like most industries, our legislative foreign labor. Some of this labor is provided by
last Congress to ensure equestrians are not
concerns don’t clearly split along party lines. the H-2A agricultural and H-2B non-agricultur-
unfairly excluded or removed from federal
Democrats may approach issues from a al temporary worker programs, which are
public lands to which they have traditionally
different perspective than Republicans, and costly and inefficient. In addition, the H-2B
had access, including the Right to Ride
vice-versa, but the industry works on a bi-par- program is capped by Congress at 66,000
Livestock on Federal Lands Act and the
tisan basis with members of Congress from workers a year, making competition for these
Preserving our Equine Heritage on Public
both sides of the aisle.” Nonetheless, since workers from all industries intense. The horse
Lands Act. The American Horse Council will
the Democrats now hold larger majorities in industry also relies on a large number of
be working to make sure similar legislation is
both houses, there may be less partisan “grid- undocumented workers who must be
reintroduced. But we will need substantial
lock” that has prevented Congress from acting considered in any comprehensive package.
support from horse owners and recreational
on a lot of legislation in the past. But the The AHC supports a comprehensive
riders to have any chance of passing this
margins are not so great that the Democrats approach to our immigration problems that
legislation.
can simply push through whatever they want. would address a better guest worker program
Other bills that could impact the
They will still need some Republican support, and a way to handle undocumented workers in
horse industry are likely to come up as well,
particularly in the Senate, to pass legislation. the U.S. The last Congress considered the
including the Travel Promotion Act, which
In the “new” category, Congress will AgJobs bill that dealt specifically with undocu-
could positively impact equine tourism.
have to deal with a down economy, “bailouts” mented agricultural workers and would have
No matter what legislation is
of various industries, a giant tax stimulus pack- reformed the H-2A program. In addition, the
introduced in the coming months, it will be
age to assist industries and states and pre- Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act
important for the new Congress to hear from
serve jobs, and to fund energy alternatives, would have provided some cap relief to H-2B
members of the horse industry. This is why the
health care and two wars. So there will be users. Both of these bills will be debated
AHC, in cooperation with its member organiza-
many new issues that impact the horse indus- again.
tions, has launched a new grassroots initiative
try tangentially. But Congress will also be “The agricultural industry laid a
called the Congressional Cavalry program. All
dealing with issues that are important to the good foundation for reform with the AgJobs bill
individual horse owners, breeders, veterinari-
horse industry that were not dealt with in the and that will be pushed again in this
ans, trainers, competitors, recreational riders,
last Congress and will be part of the legislative Congress,” said Hickey. “Senator Obama and
service providers, or anyone who desire to join
mix. Representative Hilda Solis (D-CA), who has
the grassroots efforts of the horse community
Tax issues and the state of the been nominated to be Secretary of Labor,
in Washington are encouraged to join. It costs
economy will have a staring role in the coming supported AgJobs, so there is reason to hope
nothing and the AHC will let you know if
months. The inclusion of the Equine Equity for action in this Congress.”
legislation that effects the horse industry is
Act in the farm bill that was passed in the last IInternet gambling will continue to
introduced and when and how to contact your
Congress was a victory for the horse industry. be a topic in Congress. The Unlawful Internet
members of Congress. If you would like to
Beginning in 2009, all race horse will be Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), passed
sign up for this program or have any questions
depreciated over 3 years, regardless of when in 2006, contains provisions protecting racing’s
please call the AHC (202) 296 4031 or email .
they are placed in service. Previously, race activities allowed under the Interstate
ahc@horsecouncil.org .
horses were depreciated over 3 or 7 years. Horseracing Act (IHA). However, rules
A new Congress has convened,
But the second part of the Equine adopted by the Bush Administration in
just like it does every two years. Some of the
Equity Act, reducing the holding period for November could prove troublesome to the
players may change, but if the industry works
horses to one year from two for capitol gains industry. It is likely there will be efforts to
together as it has in the past, we will adjust
purposes, was not passed. This issue will modify the restrictions on internet gambling
and continue to be successful.
once again be pushed by the horse industry, during this Congress in order to regulate,
As the national association representing all segments
along with the Pari-Mutuel Conformity and license and tax it. The horse industry will need
of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American
Equality Act, which would repeal the 25% to watch any such efforts closely to ensure that
Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests
and opportunities. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the
withholding tax on winning wagers over $5,000 any legislation does not adversely impact the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communi-
when the odds are at least 300-to-one. current interstate wagering allowed on cating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and
The increase of the Section 179 pari-mutuel horse racing under the IHA.
the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each
expense deduction to $250,000 and the rein- Last Congress several bills were
and every day.
statement of bonus depreciation were benefits introduced to prohibit the shipping, transport-
The AHC is member supported by individuals and
organizations representing virtually every facet of the
to the horse industry that were included in last ing, or sale of horses for slaughter for human
horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farri-
year’s tax stimulus bill. Both expired at the consumption, including the American Horse ers, breed registries and horsemen's associations to
end of 2008, but it is likely that Congress will Slaughter Prevention Act and the Prevention
horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers
and state horse councils.
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