A bipartisan bill that would impose uniform national medication and safety standards for U.S. racetracks is advancing in Congress.
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, sponsored by Rep. Paul Tonko and Rep. Andy Barr, was sent to the House floor September 9 by a lopsided 46-5 vote.
A similar bipartisan bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
The bills would create a Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to create and implement safety standards.
National Thoroughbred Racing Association has endorsed the bills.
Rep. Tonko commented, “Today’s vote is a major step forward for our bipartisan drive to bring greater safety and integrity to the sport of horse racing.” Tonko said. “Our bill delivers commonsense medication and track safety standards that protect America’s horses and jockeys, needed progress that will put this popular and historic sport on track for a strong recovery and a bright future. Horse racing is more than the sport of kings, it also supports countless jobs and drives vital economic activity in communities all across America.”
Barr added, “Today marks a major milestone in our bipartisan efforts to implement historic and lasting reforms for the horse racing industry,” he said. “Our amended legislation incorporates feedback from an expanded group of industry stakeholders to create essential uniform medication and track safety standards to protect the safety of our equine and human athletes.”
The Senate Majority Leader’s bill added to the House bill additional safety requirements and established safety standards for racing, training, and racetrack surfaces and creates a process for injury data analysis and investigation of safety violations. It also creates a process for holding hearings on violations and imposing sanctions against violators.
National Thoroughbred Racing Association President and CEO Alex Waldrop thanked the legislators for their efforts and added, “We are committed to working with Leader McConnell, Sen. Gillibrand, Rep. Tonko, Rep. Barr, and other allies in Congress to pass this important legislation before the end of this year.”
The New York Racing Association has also backed the bill, noting that horseracing is responsible for 19,000 jobs in the Empire State and $3 billion in economic activity there.
