u.s. congress – Fund for Horses

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline

Detailed history of State and Federal attempts to ban the slaughter of U.S. horses for human consumption. Linked by year. It all began in California in 1998 . . .

YEARS	SESSION OF CONGRESS
1998 — 2002	Includes 107th U.S. Congress
2003 — 2004	Includes 108th U.S. Congress
2005 — 2006	Includes 109th U.S. Congress
2007 — 2008	Includes 110th U.S. Congress
2009 — 2010	Includes 111th U.S. Congress
2011 — 2012	Includes 112th U.S. Congress
2013 — 2014	Includes 113th U.S. Congress
2015 — 2016	Includes 114th U.S. Congress
2017 — 2018	Includes 115th U.S. Congress
2019 — 2020	Includes 116th U.S. Congress

Compiled by Vivian Grant and Jane Allin

Last updated January 10, 2020

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline 2017

DATE

VENUE

ACTIVITY

STATUS

Jan. 3, 2017

U.S. House of Representatives

HR 113 — Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2017 (The SAFE Act), introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (F-FL-16), January 3, 2017.

This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem equine (horses and other members of the equidae family) parts to be an unsafe food additive or animal drug.

The bill prohibits the knowing sale or transport of equines or equine parts for human consumption.

The SAFE Act is intended to close the export to slaughter loophole as well as ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption on US soil.

1/3/2017 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Agriculture.

1/13/2017 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture by the House Agriculture Committee.

1/25/2017 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health by the House Energy and Commerce Committee

Track all actions on this Bill.

January 4, 2017

U.S. House and Senate

HR 244 — Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017. This bill provides FY2017 appropriations for most federal agencies for the remainder of FY2017.

Becomes Public Law No: 115-31, May 5, 2017.

See (Sec. 762) Prohibits funds from being used to inspect horses for slaughter purposes.*

Contributors: Vivian Farrell

HR=House Resolution, e.g. HR 113
HB=House Bill
SB=Senate Bill
S=Senate
FY=For Year . . .

THF 2019 Logo. ©The Horse Fund.

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline 2016

DATE	VENUE	ACTIVITY	STATUS
April 26, 2016	U.S. House of Representatives	HR 5054 — (Sec. 762) Prohibits funds from being used to inspect horses for slaughter purposes. This effectively bans horse slaughter for human consumption on U.S. soil intended for export.	Reported to House without amendments. The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 114-531, by Mr. Aderholt. (04/26/2106) Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 410. (04/26/2016).
June 16, 2016	U.S. Senate	S 3068 – Prohibits appropriations provided by this bill from being used for: (1) the destruction of healthy, unadopted, wild horses and burros in the care of the BLM or its contractors; or (2) the sale of wild horses and burros that results in their destruction for processing into commercial products.	Introduced in Senate (06/16/2016) Sent to Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski. With written report No. 114-281. (06/16/2016) Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 521 (06/16/2016)
June 19, 2016	U.S. Senate	S 2956 (Sec. 755). Prohibits funds from being used to inspect horses for slaughter purposes. This effectively bans horse slaughter for human consumption on US soil.	Reported to Senate without amendments (05/19,2016). Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Moran. With written report No. 114-259. (05/19/2016)
June 21, 2016	U.S. House of Representatives	HR 5538 – Prohibits appropriations provided by this bill from being used for: (1) the destruction of healthy, unadopted, wild horses and burros in the care of the BLM or its contractors; or (2) the sale of wild horses and burros that results in their destruction for processing into commercial products.	Introduced in House (06/21/2016) The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H Rept. 114-632, by Mr. Calvert. (06/21/2016) Passed/agreed to in House. Passed by Yeas and Nays: 231-196 (07/14/2016) Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 587. (09/06/2016)

Contributor: Jane Allin

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline 2015

DATE	VENUE	ACTIVITY	STATUS
January 28, 2015	Maryland General Assemby, 435th Session	Introduction of House Bill HB 151 which prohibits a person from buying, selling, transporting, or offering or receiving for sale or transportation (1) any equine carcass or the meat of any equine if the person knows or reasonably should know that the carcass or meat will be used for human consumption or (2) any equine if the person knows or reasonably should know that the equine is intended for slaughter for human consumption. Referred to Environment and Transportration Committee.	Pending (see March 2, 2015).
February 11, 2015	New Mexico State Legislature	Introduction of House Bill HB 410 entitled “NO SLAUGHTER OR TRANSFER OF HORSES FOR FOOD” banning the slaughter or transfer of horses for slaughter for human consumption. Sponsored by Rep. Gail Chasey, D-Albuquerque. If successful, would close the New Mexico/Mexico border to horses intended for slaughter. Referred to House Committee on Agriculture, Water and Wildlife.	Pending (see March 2, 2015).
March 2, 2015	Maryland General Assemby, 435th Session	MD anti horse slaughter bill HB 151 debated in Committee.	Reportedly received an Unfavorable Report by Environment and Transportation. Bill likely to die in Committee.
March 2, 2015	New Mexico State Legislature	NM anti horse slaughter bill HB 410 tabled by House Committee on Agriculture, Water and Wildlife.	Dies in Committee. New Mexico continues to export thousands of horses to Mexico for slaughter every year. So far this year the USDA reports the United States has sent more than 12,000 horses across its southern border for slaughter.
April 22, 2015	U.S. House of Representatives	H.R. 1942, entitled “A bill to prevent human health threats posed by the consumption of equines raised in the United States”, also called the SAFE Act, is introduced April 22, 2015. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Frank C. Guinta (R-NH-1) and has 41 originating co-sponsors (view here). The bill bas been “two committeed”: The Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Agriculture. Track this bill at www.govtrack.us.	If successful, H.R. 1942 will prevent the re-establishment of horse slaughter on U.S. soil, bar the live export of horses for the purposes of slaughter, and protect the public from the consumption of toxic horse meat.
May 6, 2015	U.S. Senate	S. 1214, entitled “A bill to prevent human health threats posed by the consumption of equines raised in the United States”, also called the SAFE Act, was introduced May 6, 2015. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Robert (Bob) Menendez (D-NJ) and has 8 originating co-sponsors (view here). The bill has been referred to a single Committee: The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Track this bill at www.govtrack.us.	If successful, S. 1214 will prevent the re-establishment of horse slaughter on U.S. soil, bar the live export of horses for the purposes of slaughter, and protect the public from the consumption of toxic horse meat.
May 15, 2015	U.S. House of Representatives	H.R. 1942 called the SAFE Act was referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture by the Committee on Agriculture. The bill now has a total of 91 co-sponsors. Track this bill at www.govtrack.us.	Subcommittee will consider the bill and will refer it back to the House Committee on Agriculture with its findings.
May 16, 2015	U.S. Senate	S. 1214, referred to as the John Rainey Memorial Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, now has 11 co-sponsors (view here). Track this bill at www.govtrack.us.	At least one “hold” has been put on this bill, reportedly by Sen. Mitch McConnell. He would neither admit nor deny. Legislation not enacted by the end of a Congress is cleared from the books. Bill dies.
December 18, 2015	U.S. House of Representatives	HR-2029 U.S. Omnibus Bill – denies funding for the USDA to conduct inspections of horse meat intended for export, which prevents the return of horse slaughter to U.S. soil, for fiscal year 2016 (October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016). 12/18/2015 – Senate agrees to House Amendments by Yea-Nay Vote: 65-33. Presented to and signed by President 18/12/2015.	Became Public Law No. 114-113 effectively preventing the return of horse slaughter until Sept. 30, 2016. See Congress.gov.

Contributors: Jane Allin, Vivian Farrell

Go to 2016 Legislative Timeline »

Horse Slaughter Legislative Timeline 2013

“If horses are worth money alive why can’t they be worth money dead?”
— Rep. Skye McNiel, Oklahoma

DATE	VENUE	ACTIVITY	RESULT
February 5, 2013	New Mexico House of Representatives	HJM 16, introduced by Rep. Paul C. Bandy (R-Aztec), a bill that would have authorized the State Department of Agriculture to study the feasibility of a slaughter facility to process horse meat for human consumption was considered.	Rejected – 36 “no” votes, 28 “yes” votes.
March 12, 2013	US House; US Senate	U.S. Congressman Pat Meehan (R-Pa.) and U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) introduced the Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2013 — H.R. 1094 and S. 541 on March 12. This legislation, known as the “SAFE Act,” takes a different path on the issue of horse slaughter. If successful, it would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the sale, transport, import or export of equines, or their parts, to be slaughtered for human consumption. If passed, this measure would impose fines and prison time for anyone who sells, transports, imports or exports horses going with the intent of slaughtering horses for human consumption.	Anti horse slaughter legislation introduced both chambers. HR 1094 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; S 541 referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
March 15, 2013	US House	HR 1094, the SAFE Act referred to Subcommittee on Health.	Burying this bill in Committees.
March 29, 2013	Oklahoma	Oklahoma’s 50-year-old ban on horse slaughtering was lifted Friday when Governor Mary Fallin signed a new law that will allow facilities to slaughter horses and process their meat or export. This bill, which takes effect Nov. 1, strictly prohibits selling horse meat for human consumption in Oklahoma. House Bill 1999 was introduced by Rep. Skye McNiel (R-Bristow) and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Eddie Fields. The Bill passed 82-14 in the House and 32-14 in the Senate. McNiel’s family owns the largest slaughter house in Oklahoma. McNiel did not file for re-election in 2014.	Paper victory for horse slaughter proponents. USDA is refusing to pay for necessary inspections even though no longer blocked by law.
April 2, 2013	US House	HR 1094 the SAFE Act, referred to Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural Development, and Credit
April 10, 2013	US Congress	Budget proposal released that would again prohibit federal funding of horse meat inspections. It states: EC. 725. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to pay the salaries or expenses of personnel to-(1) inspect horses under section 3 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 603); (2) inspect horses under section 903 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 1901 note; Public Law 104127); or (3) implement or enforce section 352.19 of title 9, Code of Federal Regulations. The new defunding language contains not only defunding, but also a stipulation that funding not be restored until and unless the Food and Drug Administration makes a determination that meat from American horses can be made safe to enter the food supply.	Until passed by Congress, technically funding to inspect horse meat is available to horse slaughter facilities in States where there are no laws prohibiting the slaughter of horses.
April 15, 2013	New York State Legislature	Senate Bill S.4615 / Assembly Bill A.3905 “to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law by adding a new section 380, to prohibit the slaughtering of horses for human consumption” was introduced in the Senate by Kathleen A. Marchione (R,C-Halfmoon) and co-sponsored by Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville), and prime-sponsored by Assemblywoman Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan), in the Assembly. The sale or purchase of horse meat would also be prohibited.	Referred to Agriculture Committee
June 28, 2013	Washington DC	USDA grants permit for a southeastern New Mexico company’s (Valley Meat Co.) to convert its cattle facility into a horse slaughter plant.	Paper Victory.
July 2, 2013	Washington DC	USDA issues a “grant of inspection” to Responsible Transportation, of Sigourney, in southeastern Iowa, because it met all federal requirements. USDA will also be obliged to assign meat inspectors to the plant. “The Administration has requested Congress to reinstate the ban on horse slaughter,” the USDA said in a statement. “Until Congress acts, the department must continue to comply with current law.”	Paper Victory.
July 2, 2013	Washington DC	The Humane Society of the United States, Front Range Equine Rescue, Marin Humane Society, Horses for Life Foundation, Return to Freedom and five private individuals sue under the National Environmental Protection Act, due to the agency’s failure to conduct the necessary environmental review before authorizing horse slaughterhouses to operate.	Horse slaughter inspections in the U.S. are delayed for weeks due to The HSUS and Front Range Equine Rescue’s legal action.
August 2, 2013	U.S. District Court of New Mexico	Judge Christina Armijo grants a 30-day temporary restraining order preventing the commencement of horse slaughter at two plants—Valley Meat Co. LLC in Roswell, New Mexico and Responsible Transportation in Sigourney, Iowa.	Horse slaughter put on hold temporarily while lawsuit continues.
November 1, 2013	U.S. District Court of New Mexico	U.S. District Judge Christina Armijo denies the plaintiffs’ (HSUS) request for permanent injunction and dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice. Additionally, since the temporary injunction previously issued by the court expired, horse slaughter operations many commence at the plants issued permits.	The Humane Society of the United States, et al, appeals the case to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and moves for a temporary stay of Judge Armijo’s Memorandum Opinion and Order.
November 4, 2013	10th Circuit Court of Appeals	The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily stays District Judge Armijo’s Memorandum Opinion and Order to allow the Court “adequate time to consider the matter”.	Until the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals acts, the horse slaughter plants currently holding permits cannot commence operations.
December 13, 2013	10th Circuit Court of Appeals	10th Circuit Court of Appeals denies an emergency Motion for Injunction pending appeal filed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other animal rights groups. The Motion sought to halt horse slaughter operations at three U.S. plants pending the final resolution of the animal rights groups’ appeal.	Horse slaughter operations may now commence under the trial court’s decision, even though the merits of that decision are currently being considered by the 10th Circuit.
December 19, 2013	1st Judicial District Court, Santa Fe	NM State Attorney General Gary King sues the Valley Meat horse slaughter plant in Roswell to prevent its expected opening in January.	Pending.

Contributors: Vivian Farrell; Jane Allin

Go to 2014 Timeline »

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