Congressman Cohen Urges USDA to Enforce Horse Protections

MEMPHIS - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) led a bipartisan letter with Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Vern Buchanan (FL-16) to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack asking him "to vigorously enforce the Horse Protection Act" as the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration begins on August 24 in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

The letter reads in part:

"We encourage the USDA to ensure a strong and consistent enforcement presence at this year's Celebration, and to utilize the full range of inspection protocols developed by the Department."

Sara Amundson, President of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, made the following statement:

"USDA must go the extra mile to crack down on the cruel 'soring' of horses. We are grateful to Representatives Cohen, Fitzpatrick, Schakowsky and Buchanan for pressing the agency to vigorously enforce federal law against this hideous abuse during the upcoming Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration and beyond."

See the full text of the letter here.

Congressman Cohen, and Representatives Fitzpatrick, Schakowsky and Buchanan are leaders in the effort to end horse soring. The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act passedthe House in July 2019 with an overwhelming 333-96 vote, and identical legislation that Congressman Cohen reintroducedthis Congress has 259 House and 53 Senate cosponsors. On June 23, 2022, the bill passed the House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce by a vote of 22-0, demonstrating the broad bipartisan support for ending horse soring.

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