Released Wednesday, the Omnibus Appropriations bill and report includes language that confirms the amount of money allotted for enforcing the Horse Protection Act will remain the same — $697,000 — for the remainder of fiscal year 2017. The Senate had passed this Wednesday and it was expected to pass the House Thursday.
Other language in this report pertaining to the Walking horse industry supports moving toward more objective measurements, In terms of inspections.
Additionally, it reads that any substantive modifications related to the HPA “should be made by Congress through the legislative process.”
Jeff Speaks, who lobbies on behalf of the industry, explained he and others were pleased to get this language included in the report, known as the Agriculture Appropriations Explanatory Report, a document that accompanies the Omnibus Appropriations bill to show the intent of Congress for all programs and expenditures.
There is a $30 show inspection fee exhibitors pay at horse shows, $15 of which goes toward funding lobbyists like Speaks who are working on the industry’s behalf.