Only Two US Representatives from CT Have Co-Sponsored HR 961 SAFE

Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4] Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1] are the only two US House Representatives from CT who have co-sponsored H.R. 961, The Safeguard American Food Exports Act, or “Safe Act.” The Bill was introduced at the beginning of the 116th Congress and would prohibit the transport to and slaughter of American horses in Canada, Mexico and Japan. Approximately 150.000 American American Horses are transported to horrific slaughter after having to endure lengthy and inhumane transports. Kill buyers, who purchase and transport horses to slaughter obtain their "loads" primarily from horse auctions, the largest of which is relatively close to Connecticut in New Holland in PA.

The fact that just two of the five Connecticut Representatives have co-sponsored comes as a
disturbing surprise. Each of our Representatives have supported the Safe Act in previous years with the exception of the newest Representative, Joahana Hayes, who is my Representative (5th District which includes Avon). Regardless of what I initially took as an interest on her part in becoming educated about the need for the Bill, she has yet to speak with me or co-sponsor. Former Rep. Esty would have certainly gotten on board by now. In the 115th Congress we achieved a simple majority vote of the House, yet once again the Bill was not moved to the Senate because it was once again held up in the AG Committee. Our goal has been to to get those who co-sponsored in 2018 to do so again as early as possible, and to obtain additional co-sponsors. We had never gotten a simple majority prior to last year.

I urge residents of Connecticut to be in touch with their US Representative and to encourage them to co-sponsor H.R. 961. The House bill was introduced at the beginning of the 116th Congress and there has been ample time for them to have done so. H.R. 961 must obtain a simple majority of co-sponsors in the House of Representatives --218-- before it can move to the Senate and ultimately to the President for his signature. Horses, like dogs, are companion animals. They are not food. It is a total misconception that kill buyers are interested in old or sick or lame horses. They get paid by the pound. Camp horses very frequently wind up at auction, as do retired race horses, ponies and pleasure horses. The slaughter process for horses is too excruciatingly cruel and torturous for me to describe here. Let it be said that they are NOT killed and many NOT rendered unconscious before the worst of the process commences. Our companions?? Please take five minutes and call the office of your House Rep and tell them to get on board H.R. 961. You don't have to be a horse owner to know that the slaughter of our horses across our boarders and in Japan is simply wrong.