We are excited to announce our Fall version of March Against Horse Slaughter held last month was another huge success. We are still sifting through the mountain of information we gathered and totalling up the numbers on how many we reached (it’s in the many 1000s), what they had to say and why they felt that way. Brilliant!
Unresponsive Republicans
One trending item we were most surprised about regarding H.R. 961 (The SAFE Act) is how few Republican lawmakers have cosponsored it and how often this was mentioned. Republican lawmakers, your constituents are NOT happy.
Anti horse slaughter legislation has always had widely bipartisan support — supported by both Democrats and Republicans. It has never been a strictly Democratic or Republican issue.
The jaded among us have said their support was likely because Republican lawmakers knew previous bills had holds on them and were never going to make it, so could freely support a bill going nowhere and make themselves look good to constituents. This type of behavior is also what makes us disregard the “humane scorecard” so called. It’s easy to back animal friendly bills, making yourself look good along the way, when knowing they have no chance in Hades of success. But we digress!
While street teaming the H.R. 961 across the country, numerous people told us that they have been contacting their Representatives to cosponsor the SAFE Act and a huge amount of Republicans have ignored them, even the ones who have traditionally have backed previous anti horse slaughter bills.
If you look at the cosponsors for H.R. 961 there are indeed very few Republican cosponsors. It is mostly Democratic.
We need to find out why, and the best way is talk to them.
We are hiring extra lobbyists to visit Republican members of Congress who have cosponsored previous bills against horse slaughter but have not done so for this one, to find out what is going on.
Here’s how you can help with that.
CONTACT YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
First, find out if your U.S. Representative has already cosponsored here.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/961/cosponsors
If they have not and happen to be Republican, please contact them and ask them to cosponsor this Bill, especially if they have cosponsored legislation like it in the past.
If they they have not cosponsored, regardless of their political party, please contact them again — and ask them again.
MAKE THE CALL
The most effective way is to do this is by phone. When calling, you should ask to speak to the Aide working on HR. 961 — The SAFE Act.
When you get them on the phone tell them that this bill is highly important to you not just for the sake of the horses but also for food safety.
The U.S. should not be sending its horses to slaughter who have been given numerous drugs making their meat toxic for human consumption and a threat to human health, foreign or otherwise.
Ask that the Representative cosponsor H.R.961 at his or her earliest opportunity. If they have cosponsored previous anti horse slaughter bills but haven’t done so for this one, mention that, and state that it is very important that they cosponsor and vote “yes” on this one.
The Capitol Switchboard Number is (202) 224-3121.
The alternative is to email your U.S. Representative directly or use their online form.
Directory of Representatives
https://www.house.gov/representatives
IT’S PAST TIME
Time is of the essence. We need a massive push to get the cosponsors we need. It’s way past time we have accomplished this, and is becoming a matter of urgency considering what is going on in Washington at the moment. It is a big distraction. Let’t help Congress keep their eye on the ball on our issues.
HELP WITH A DONATION
Please make a donation of $5.00 or more to help us with the additional lobbying expenses we are taking on.
Those who fear a ban on horse slaughter — such as the racing industry who kills horses on the track and also sends them to be murdered for their meat off of it — are spending huge sums of money to defeat this bill. So are the Quarter Horse people, rodeo groups and millionaire horse sorers, to name a few. Together “we the people” have big money too.
COME TOGETHER
There’s also this. Constituent power is just as influential as money. Oh, yes it is. Perhaps even more so. Without your vote, lawmakers don’t get elected no matter how much money they raise or get paid off.
Let’s come together now and make those calls, and send those messages, to Congress that we want this thing done. In this Congress. We demand that horse slaughter is outlawed.
THANK YOU
We know we and the horses can count on you. We always have.
Thank you for following us and taking part on issues like this so critical to our horses’ safety, well being and happiness.
HELPFUL LINKS
• Find Your Representative »
• Directory of Representatives with contact links »
• Make an online donation »
Tuesday's Horse 
Time is running out. We must act now.
LikeLiked by 1 person