WASHINGTON (September 7, 2018)—The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund applaud the 218 Representatives—constituting a majority of the U.S. House—who have signed on as sponsors and cosponsors of the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act to finally bring an end to the export and slaughter of American equines for human consumption. With broad bipartisan support, the bill aims to protect our nation’s equines from the cruel and predatory horse slaughter industry, which is opposed by an overwhelming majority of Americans, enriches a tiny handful of profiteers and places all of our equine companions at risk.
“We commend these federal legislators who have taken a stand with most Americans who view our horses as partners in work, recreation and sport, and as cultural icons for the crucial role they’ve played in our nation’s history,” said Kitty Block, acting president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “With a bipartisan majority supporting the bill, we urge House leadership to put the SAFE Act on the suspension calendar for a vote soon, and the Senate to follow suit.”
The SAFE Act’s lead sponsors—Reps. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.; Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill.; Ed Royce, R-Calif.; and Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M.— introduced the measure in early January 2017, and the bill has since steadily gained support from representatives around the country from both parties. Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; and Susan Collins, R-Maine, introduced a parallel bill, S. 1706, in August 2017 that now has 30 sponsors and cosponsors.
Media Contact: Alison Shapiro: 301-721-6472; ashapiro@humanesociety.org
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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.
