The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“INTRODUCTION OF THE HORSE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ACT OF 2017” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1372 on Oct. 12, 2017.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF THE HORSE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ACT OF 2017
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HON. STEVE COHEN
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Horse Transportation Safety Act, a bill I introduced earlier today along with my esteemed colleague, Rep. Jones from North Carolina, to ensure the humane and safe transportation of horses.
The Horse Transportation Safety Act seeks to end the exploitation of a regulatory loophole designed to ban the transport of horses in double-deck trailers, whereby drivers have an incentive to inhumanely transport horses to assembly points, then reload them into single level trailers just outside their final destination.
The practice is dangerous and inhumane not only to the horses, it poses a threat to the travelling public.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ``double-deck trailers do not provide adequate headroom for equines, with the possible exception of foals and yearlings. We do not believe that trailers that have two or more permanent levels that are not collapsible can be adequately altered to accommodate adult equines, especially tall equines.''
The legislation is strongly supported by agricultural interests and animal protection groups alike. Among the organizations endorsing the bill are the Humane Society of the United States, the Animal Welfare Institute, the National Black Farmers Association, and Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation.
Moreover, in 2010 the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure unanimously adopted this bipartisan legislation.
This is common sense legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the swift passage of the Horse Transportation Safety Act.
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