1. S.311 (SENATE) AND H.R.503 (HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)
The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act would amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting,
moving, delivering, possessing, purchasing, selling or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human
consumption, and for other purposes. The bills are virtually identical in language. S.311 is sponsored by Senators Mary L.
Landrieu (LA) and John Ensign (NV). H.R.503 is sponsored by Representatives Janice D. Schakowsky (IL), Ed Whitfield (KY),
John Spratt (SC) and Nick Rahall (WV).
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2. CURRENT STANDING OF THE BILLS
In order to be implemented, both bills need to receive a "majority" of the votes of the full membership of the Senate and House
and then be signed into law by the President. However, there is also a possibility that some form of the bills could be
incorporated into another bill and be passed. This is commonly done in both the Senate and House and is often easier to
accomplish than getting a bill passed once it has been placed on hold or has been stuck in committee indefinitely.
S.311. Unfortunately, we have not had a Senator sign on to co-sponsor since December of 2007. Also in December, Sen. Larry
Craig threatened to put a hold on Senate bill S.311. In order to force the bill to a vote, 60 of the 100 members of the Senate are
needed; currently, 38 members are co-sponsors (probable "yes" votes), leaving us 22 votes short. Our efforts at this time should
concentrate on answering the concerns raised by Sen. Craig on 12/5/07. Please review his comments at the bottom of this web
page and adjust your letters and faxes accordingly in response to Sen. Craig.
H.R.503. House bill H.R.503 is currently in committee for debate and vote, and then needs to be released for a vote by the
entire House. The Committees are the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Commerce, Travel and Consumer
Protection; and the House Agriculture Committee, House Agriculture Subcommittee On Livestock, Dairy and Poultry. There are
201 House co-sponsors and 218 are needed, leaving us 17 votes short. This bill was previously overwhelmingly passed by the
House in the 109th Congress, but failed to be brought to a vote in the Senate that year, neccessitating that it be re-introduced
in January, 2007. Seven House co-sponsors have been added to the list of co-sponsors in the last three months.
It is very important to contact our legislators to try to encourage them to co-sponsor the bills. The sponsors of the bills will not
bring them up for a vote unless they are assured that the vote will be successful, as defeat of the bills would be a major setback
for our cause.
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3. SENATORS WHO HAVE NOT CO-SPONSORED S.311
The four digit number following each House member's name is his extension. To call direct (not through the Capital switchboard),
dial 1-202-224-plus the four digit extension. Please see item #5 below about making phone calls and #6 about writing letters.
AL Richard C. Shelby 5744 ND Kent Conrad 2043
AL Jeff Sessions 4124 Byron L. Dorgan 2551
AR Blanche L. Lincoln 4843 NE E. Benjamin Nelson 6551
Mark L. Pryor 2353 Chuck Hagel 4224
AZ Jon Kyl 4521 NH Judd Gregg 3324
CO Wayne Allard 5941 John E. Sununu 2841
Ken Salazar 5852 NM Pete V. Domenici 6621
FL Bill Nelson 5274 Jeff Bingaman 5521
Mel Martinez 3041 NV Harry Reid 3542
GA Johnny Isakson 3643 OH George V. Voinovich 3353
Saxby Chambliss 3521 OK Tom Coburn 5754
IA Tom Harkin 3254 James M. Inhofe 4721
Chuck Grassley 3744 OR Ron Wyden 5244
ID Larry E. Craig 2752 Gordon H. Smith 3753
Mike R. Crapo 6142 PA Robert P. Casey, Jr. 6324
IN Richard G. Lugar 4814 SC Jim DeMint 6121
KS Sam Brownback 6521 SD Tim Johnson 5842
Pat Roberts 4774 John Thune 2321
KY Jim Bunning 4343 TN Lamar Alexander 4944
Mitch McConnell 2541 Bob Corker 3344
LA David Vitter 4623 TX Kay Bailey Hutchison 5922
MN Amy Klobuchar 3244 John Cornyn 2934
Norm Coleman 5641 UT Robert F. Bennett 5444
MO Claire McCaskill 6154 Orrin G. Hatch 5251
Christopher S. Bond 5721 VA John Warner 2023
MS Thad Cochran 5054 Jim Webb 4024
MT Jon Tester 2644 WA Patty Murray 2621
Max Baucus 2651 WI Herb Kohl 5653
NC Elizabeth Dole 6342 Russell Feingold 5323
Richard Burr 3154 WY John Barrasso 6441
Michael B. Enzi 3424
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4. REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE NOT CO-SPONSORED H.R.503
The four digit number following each House member's name is his extension. To call direct (not through the Capital switchboard),
dial 1-202-225-plus the four digit extension. Please see item #5 below about making calls and #6 about writing letters.
AR Mike Ross 3772 IL Bobby L. Rush 4372 OH *Jean Schmidt 3164Vic Snyder 2506 *Phil Hare 5905Charles A. Wilson 5705
John Boozman 4301 John Shimkus 5271 Jim Jordan 2676
Marion Berry 4076 Timothy V. Johnson 2371 David Hobson 4324
AK Don Young 5765 Donald Manzullo 5676 Pat Tiberi 5355
AL Jo Bonner 4931 Jerry Costello 5661 Ralph Regula 3876
Artur Davis 2665 Ray LaHood 6201 Michael Turner 6465
Robert E. (Bud) Cramer 4801 Bill Foster 2976 Zachary T. Space 6265
Spencer Bachus 4921 IN Peter Visclosky 2461 Robert E. Latta 6405
Robert Alderholt 4876 Joe Donnelly 3915 Stephanie Tubbs Jones 7032
Terry Everett 2901 Mike Pence 3021 John Boehner 6205
Mike Rogers 3261 Brad Ellsworth 4636 OK Dan Boren 2701
AZ Ed Pastor 4065 Steve Buyer 5037 Mary Fallin 2132
Rick Renzi 2315 Mark E. Souder 4436 Tom Cole 6165
Trent Franks 4576 (vacant) John Sullivan 2211
John Shadegg 3361 KS Jerry Moran 2715 Frank Lucas 5565
Jeff Flake 2635 Nancy E. Boyda 6601 OR Greg Walden 6730
CA Sam Farr 2861 Todd Tiahrt 6216 Darlene Hooley 5711
Daniel E. Lungren 5716 KY Ron Lewis 3501 PA Paul Shuster 2431
Jerry Lewis 5861 Geoff Davis 3465 John E. Peterson 5121
Wally Herger 3076 LA William J. Jefferson 6636 Charles W. Dent 6411
Kevin McCarthy 2915 Charles W. Boustany, Jr. 2031 Tim Murphy 2301
Buck McKeon 1956 Charlie Melancon 4031 Tim Holden 5546
Mike Thompson 3311 Rodney Alexander 8490 Phil English 5406
Nancy Pelosi 4965 Jim McCrery 2777 Christopher P. Carney 3731
Bob Filner 8045 (vacant) Paul E. Kanjorski 6511
Darrell Issa 3906 (vacant) SC James E. Clyburn 3315
George P. Radanovich 4540 MD Steny H. Hoyer 4131 SD Stephanie H. Sandlin 2801
Laura Richardson 7924 *ME Tom Allen 6116TN John J. Duncan, Jr. 5435
Joe Baca 6161 MI Mike Rogers 4872 Lincoln Davis 6831
Mike Honda 2631 Bart Stupak 4735 David Davis 6356
Gary Miller 3201 Candice Miller 2106 Bart Gordon 4231
Dennis Cardoza 6131 Joseph Knollenberg 5802 John Tanner 4714
Dana Rohrabacher 2415 Fred Upton 3761 Zach Wamp 3271
Ed Royce 4111 Pete Hoekstra 4401 Marsha Blackburn 2811
Linda Sanchez 6676 Timothy Walberg 6276 Jim Cooper 4311
Ken Calvert 1986 Vernon Ehlers 3831 TX Nick Lampson 5951
Devin Nunes 2523 John Dingell 4071 Ron Paul 2831
Jim Costa 3341 Cave Camp 3561 Ruben Hinojosa 2531
David Dreier 2305 MN Michele Bachmann 2331 Solomon P. Ortiz 7742
John Doolittle 2511 Timothy J. Walz 2471 Michael T. McCaul 2401
CO Marilyn Musgrave 4676 Collin C. Peterson 2165 John Carter 3864
Tom Tancredo 7882 James L. Oberstar 6211 Randy Neugebauer 4005
Ed Perlmutter 2645 MO Jo Ann Emerson 4404 Pete Sessions 2231
Doug Lamborn 4422 Todd Akin 2561 Louie Gohmert 3035
John T. Salazar 4761 Kenny Hulshof 2956 Ciro Rodriguez 4511
Mark Udall 2161 Ike Skelton 2876 Lamar Smith 4236
CT Christopher S. Murphy 4476 Roy Blunt 6536 Silvestre Reyes 4831
FL Dave Weldon 3671 Sam Graves 7041 Kay Granger 5071
Virginia Brown-Waite 1002 Russ Carnahan 2671 John Culberson 2571
Adam Putnam 1252 MS Charles W. "Chip" Pickering 5031 Lloyd Doggett 4865
Allen Boyd 5235 Bennie G. Thompson 5876 Chet Edwards 6105
Tom Feeney 2706 (vacancy) Jeb Hensarling 3484
Alcee L. Hastings 1313 MT Dennis Rehbert 3211 Mac Thornberry 3706
Cliff Sterns 5744 NC Mike McIntyre 2731 Sam Johnson 4201
Connie Mack 2536 G. K. Butterfield 3101 Ralph M. Hall 6673
*Kendrick Meek 4506Patrick T. McHenry 2576 Kevin Brady 4901
Tim Mahoney 5792 Bob Etheridge 4531 *Michael Burgess 7772
Jeff Miller 4136 Howard Coble 3065 Henry Cuellar 1640
Lincoln Diaz-Balart 4211 Mel Watt 1510 Joe Barton 2002
Kathy Castor 3376 Heath Shuler 6401 K. Michael Conaway 3605
John Mica 4035 Robin Hayes 3715 Kenny Marchant 6605
GA Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. 3631 Virginia Foxx 2071 Ted Poe 6565
Nathan Deal 5211 ND Earl Pomeroy 2611 UT Chris Cannon 7751
Lynn A. Westmoreland 5901 NE Lee Terry 4155 Rob Bishop 0453
David Scott 2939 Adrian Smith 6435 Jim Matheson 3011
Jack Kingston 5831 Jeff Fortenberry 4806 VA *Robert "Bobby" Scott 8351Henry C. "Hank" Johnson Jr. 1605 NJ Jim Saxton 4765 Thelma D. Drake 4215
Paul C. Broun 4101 Scott Garrett 4465 J. Randy Forbes 6365
Tom Price 4501 NM Steve Pearce 2365 Eric Cantor 2815
Phil Gingrey 2931 Heather Wilson 6316 Bob Goodlatte 5431
John Barrow 2823 NV Dean Heller 6155 *Robert J. Wittman 4261Jim Marshall 6531 NY Brian Higgins 3306 WA Doc Hastings 5816
IA Steve King 4426 Vito Fossella 3371 Jim McDermot 3106
David Loebsack 6576 Jim Walsh 3701 Adam Smith 8901
Leonard Boswell 3806 John M. McHugh 4611 Rick Larsen 2605
Tom Latham 5476 Thomas Reynolds 4265 Cathy McMorris Rodgers 2006
Bruce L. Braley 2911 *Gregory W. Meeks 3461WI Thomas Petri 2476
ID Mike Simpson 5531 Joseph Crowley 3965 F. James Sensebrenner 5101
Bill Sali 6611 Louise Slaughter 3615 Ron Kind 5506
CA (vacant) John R "Randy" Kuhl Jr. 3161 Steve Kagen 5665
Paul Ryan 3031
David R. Obey 3365
*Now Co-Sponsor WV Alan B. Mollohan 4172
Shelly Moore Capito 2711
WY Barbara Cubin 2311
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5. MAKING PHONE CALLS
The legislators can be reached toll-free (no charge) by dialing 1-800-828-0498 or 1-800-614-2803, or 1-800-459-1887. Any of
these numbers will take you to the main Capital switchboard. You will then need to ask for the legislator's office by name. The
main switchboard operators are always very pleasant and helpful. When the congressman's receptionist answers the phone, give
them your name and the name of your city and state. They may ask for your zip code as well. You can then ask the receptionist to
relay a message to the senator or representative for you.
A message such as "I oppose horse slaughter in America and I oppose trucking American horses to other countries for slaughter.
Please co-sponsor S.311 (or H.R.503), the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act" is fine. The phone calls are meant to show unity
and strength in numbers, not to argue with the receptionist. If you want to discuss the issues, ask for whoever assists the senator in
matters concerning animal welfare. Please remember to thank whoever you talked to, no matter what they said.
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6. SENDING LETTERS
It is very important that legislators who are not co-sponsoring the bills hear from their constituents. Letters should be sent by fax,
e-mail, or web site mail. Sending letters through the U.S. Postal Service is not recommended as snail mailed letters can take weeks
to inspect before being forwarded to the House or Senate.
Click here for Senate contact information!
Click here for House of Representatives contact information!
All or some of the following information can be included in your constituent letter. Re-write the information to better suit you...add
to it, modify it, or use it as is. It would be better that the letters not all look exactly the same. You will find more talking points below
in item #7. Check back here frequently for new, revised and added information.
ARE THERE REALLY UNWANTED HORSES?
An unwanted horse for one person may be a dream come true for another. Because of the existence of slaughter houses, horses are not
being given a fair chance for rehabilitation or re-homing. At auctions across the country, potential new owners are outbid by people who
deal in buying horses for slaughter. It has already been proven that a large number of unwanted horses can be absorbed back into the
horse population without dire consequences. Between 1989 and 2002, the horse meat market collapsed and slaughter dropped from
approximately 350,000 horses per year to under 50,000 with no epidemic of neglect and with minimal effect.
WHAT IS THE REALITY OF SLAUGHTER?
People naively take their horses to auction houses or sell them to kill buyers often without intending for them to be slaughtered and without
realizing the consequences. Slaughter buyers often lie about their plans for the horses they buy. Over 92% of all horses taken to slaughter
are sound, fit and healthy. An old, emaciated, or sick horse has no value in the horse meat market and are usually not sought after for
slaughter. The former deserve a second chance, the latter deserve a humane and peaceful ending that euthanasia offers.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF STOPPING SLAUGHTER?
Slaughter represents only 1% of the horse population of the U.S. Close to 920,000 horses die in this country annually. Most are euthanized
and rendered or buried without negative impact to the environment. Around 100,000 horses are currently sent to slaughter, a fraction of thetotal number that die. Certainly we can absorb a reasonable increase such as this. Euthanasia is a bargain compared to the cost of caring
for a horse, about the same as one month’s care for an average horse.
WHY ARE WE OVER-BREEDING?Slaughter has been an easy out for breeders who dump horses for "undesirable characteristics." They need to be encouraged to stop over-
breeding, perhaps by placing heavy fees on activities such as auctions and the registration of breeds. We need programs to better educate
"backyard breeders" about the effects of their actions. Gelding programs need to be encouraged and expanded. In some areas, this is already
being started by state and private local groups.
ARE RESCUE AND WELFARE GROUPS ALREADY OVERCROWDED?There are currently over 400 horse rescues in the United States and new and expanded public and private rescues and welfare groups are
consistently appearing, as Americans are now realizing the cruelty associated with slaughter. These groups need to be encouraged and
supported by our local, state and national governments. Rescues are working together and rescue registries have been developed. Some
rescues are even specializing in the kind of horses they accept, for example blind, pregnant, PMU, or draft horses. Many horses that were
thought not to have a future are being given a second chance through training, feeding and medical intervention.
ARE MORE HORSES BEING ABANDONED?There is no evidence that a lack of slaughter houses in the U.S. has led to horses being turned loose on public or private ranges since the
closures. Since the last slaughter house closed down in the U.S., Mexico and Canada have increased their volume to make up for any slack.
There have always been people who turn their animals loose to fend for themselves, whether it be dogs, cats, or horses, regardless of whether
or not slaughter houses are an option.
SO WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
The bottom line is that horse slaughter is not a humane option and is repulsive to most Americans. It needs to be outlawed and resources, both
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private and public, need to be made available to assist rescuers until the number of excess horses levels is under control. Americans will not
continue to support slaughter. It’s just a matter of time before a ground swell of public opinion forces laws prohibiting horse slaughter to be
adopted.
7. FACTS ABOUT HORSE SLAUGHTER
• According to official data from the US Dept. of Agriculture, 92.3% of horses slaughtered are in good to excellent condition.
• Horse slaughter has been proven to promote theft and abuse of horses.
• Approximately 920,000 horses die annually in this country, most are euthanized and rendered or buried with no negative impact.
• In a recent survey (updated 2/16/08), the average cost for euthanasia and burial/disposal was $255.59.
• During the first three months of 2008, over 17,500 American horses were sent to slaughter in Mexico and Canada.
• There are currently over 400 horse rescues in this country with more opening every day.
• Recent national polls show almost 70% of Americans support a federal ban on horse slaughter.
• Since horse slaughter was banned in California, horse theft has dropped by over 34%.
• Average cost of euthanasia and disposal is $255.59; average monthly cost of keeping one horse is over $200.
• Graph below shows horses slaughtered in U.S. plants 2002-2007.
Year
No. Horses Slaughtered
2007
29,761
2006
104,899
2005
91,757
2004
65,976
2003
50,564
2002
42,312
• After the last 3 remaining U.S. slaughter houses were closed in 2007, the number of horses being trucked to Canada and
Mexico increased 312% as new processing plants opened and slaughtering capacity was expanded to meet the demand
for horse meat in foreign countries. Canada now has 7 licensed plants slaughtering horses. In 2007, Canada sent $70
worth of horse meat overseas. Mexico has many slaughter plants and the methods employed are especially brutal. Horse
meat is eaten in Mexico, although not to the extent of other foreign countries such as France, Belgium and Japan.
Country 2006
2007
Increase/Decrease
USA
104,896
29,761
-72%
Canada
11,080
45,609
70%
Mexico
24,753
41,588
31%
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8. SEN. LARRY CRAIG'S "INTENT TO OBJECT"
"Mr. President, I wish to notify the Senate of my intent to object to proceeding to S.311, a bill to amend the Horse Slaughter
Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation
of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes. The bill would prohibit the
shipping, trnasporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines
to be slaughtered for human consumption. In short, it would further limit the already limited options for disposal of unwanted
horses. An unwanted horse is one that has reached the useful end of its economic or recreational life. There are numerous
reasons for the existence of unwanted horses, not the least of which are economic reasons such as loss of job, price of feed
or stabling, relocation, poor health of the horse or its owner. It must be recognized that no one has adequately addressed the
fate of the estimated 90,000 unwanted horses that were formerly slaughtered on an annual basis. Animal welfare groups and
rescue organizations can only do so much to shoulder the load of aiding the adoption or care of these horses. They are
currently stretched to capacity, and we expect an increase in need. As a result, we are witnessing a significant increase in
abandonment and neglect of horses in this country. Particularly in the West, growing numbers of unwanted horses are being
dumped on public or private rangelands. I believe that we should take the time to examine this growing issue of the unwanted
horse before passing legislation that ties the hands of horse owners, public and private land managers, and others."
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