By VIVIAN GRANT
THE AMERICAN HORSE SLAUGHTER PREVENTION ACT
H R 503/S 311
As of this writing, the House version of the bill (HR 503) has 187 co-sponsors. The following U.S. Representatives have co-sponsored since Congress reconvened in September:
Rep Keller, Ric [FL-8] – 9/20/2007
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] – 9/20/2007
Rep Gilchrest, Wayne T. [MD-1] – 9/27/2007
Rep Buchanan, Vern [FL-13] – 9/27/2007
Rep Lipinski, Daniel [IL-3] – 10/4/2007
Rep Biggert, Judy [IL-13] – 10/4/2007
Rep Reichert, David G. [WA-8] – 10/4/2007
Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] – 10/4/2007
Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] – 10/18/2007
There has also been activity on the Senate version of the bill (S 311). We are very grateful to the following U.S. Senators who co-sponsored this month:
Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] – 10/2/2007
Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] – 10/16/2007
Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] – 10/18/2007
Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK] – 10/18/2007
Sen Bayh, Evan [IN] – 10/18/2007
This makes a total of 35 co-sponsors, and this support is critical.
As mentioned in the last “The Horse on the Hill,” we have the necessary votes to break the hold on the Senate bill. A big Texas thank you to Fund lobbyists who are working to convert these votes to co-sponsorships and beginning to see the deserved results.
Of particular interest is the co-sponsorship of Senator Durbin who up until this point resisted co-sponsoring, as he wanted to present a united front on the issue with his colleague Senator Obama. Obama, however, has given us a laundry list of reasons for not co-sponsoring for the past year. He has been made very much aware of how a majority of his constituents feel on this issue, and that they are strongly opposed to the slaughter of horses, for any reason. We thank Senator Durbin for taking this important stand, and welcome Senator Obama’s stamp of approval for the quick passage of the AHSPA soon.
THE FUND ON THE MOVE
Washington Here We Come
We are expanding and establishing an office in Washington D.C. effective December 3, 2007.
Here are just some of the activities we are taking up:
- Register people to vote
- Survey Candidates asking for their views on equine related issues
- Build media response teams
- Create election videos for YouTube on equine related issues
- Participate in “Get Out the Vote”
- Online petitions geared toward the candidates
- Prepare for the launch of HPP (Horse Protection PAC>
- Design online seminars for citizen lobbyists specifically on equine protection issues
Horse on the Hill Gang
Make a donation to support this exciting move and help create significant, added political impact on behalf of America’s horses in our nation’s capitol by joining our Horse on the Hill Gang.
Note: Remember, if you are a recognized contributor, we tally all of your donations and move you up to the next recognition level!
Media Chat
It has been reported in the media that with the closing of US horse slaughter plants, animal advocates are turning their attention once again to the federal bill, commonly referred to as American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. That may be. However, the Fund for Horses have been working relentlessly with fresh campaigns, and consistent lobbying. Other equine protection groups have been working long and hard too. Please get active and take part with one today. For the horses.
Tuesday's Horse 