SB311 PASSED MARKUP - NO AMMENDMENTS !

[NanciK]

A victory for the horses! We owe a great debt to Senator Barbara Boxer-California for being so outspoken in favor of SB 311!! Your calls and faxes worked, great job!!!

AYES = 15
NOs = 7

Who is the prick from South Dakota who spoke in opposition to this bill? It's Senator John Thune, representing the "100-year old legacy of sending livestock to slaughter" in South Dakota...such bull bleep! Yeah baby, that's something to be proud of....not!

[cvl]

YAHOOOIIEEEE!

Now - what is the next step in the political scheme of things???

And .............. what do "we" do next?

[imabirdmom]

Give me my list! I have phone in hand and ready to place calls to any undecides for the next round.

I agree with the OP. What a thing to be proud of. SD must be SOOO proud.

[mustang1]

What is SB 311? I thought the big ones was H.R. 501, Glad it passed whatever it is.

[beckybee]

SB is the Senate version of the bill. Must pass both houses before sent to Bush for signing into law.

[NanciK]

FOR IMMEDIANTE RELEASE

Horse Slaughter Bill Advances in the US Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 25, 2007) – The Commerce, Science and
Transportation Committee of the US Senate today held a mark-up for S.
311, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA), voting 15
to 7 in favor of sending the bill to be considered before the full US
Senate.

Dispelling misguided arguments from AHSPA opponents, Senator Barbara
Boxer (D-CA) argued, "We have this law in place in California… since
1998. The people voted for it, and the state has seen no increase in
neglect and no abandoned horses – and this is from the largest state
in the Union."

The three remaining foreign-owned slaughter plants in the United
States – located in Illinois and Texas – have been shut down
temporarily by recent court decisions. However, passage of the bill
is critical to ensure horses are protected from slaughter forever,
and that they are not exported elsewhere to be killed for the same
purpose.

"Until Congress acts, horses are being hauled under horrible
conditions across the border to Mexico and Canada, where they are
brutally slaughtered, " said Chris Heyde, deputy legislative director
of the Society for Animal Protective Legislation. "The AHSPA is their
only hope."

Two years ago, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to stop horse
slaughter for a year, and last year, the House passed the bill.
Unfortunately, Congress went out of session before the Senate could
vote on the measure. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act,
sponsored in this session by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and John
Ensign (R-NV), will ensure that the practice of horse slaughter for
human consumption is stopped permanently.

Before the measure went up for a vote, Senator Ensign stated, "There
is no question that this bill will pass in this Committee, in the
full Senate and in the House of Representatives, finally stopping
horse slaughter."

The Society for Animal Protective Legislation, the Animal Welfare
Institute's legislative arm, is the unsurpassed leader in obtaining
laws to benefit animals in need, including the protection of domestic
and wild horses.

[sissycat96101]

yeah baby!!! thats what i'm talking about.

[Admin]

[glow=red,2,300]Hallelujah[/glow]

[lowland]

Thune tried to poison the bill but readily admitted that he didn't have the support to make it stick. We cannot rest now though. Here is the breakdown of who voted and how:

Democrats

Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (HI) YES
John D. Rockefeller, IV (WV) - YES
John F. Kerry (MA) - YES
Byron L. Dorgan (ND)- NO
Barbara Boxer (CA)- YES
Bill Nelson (FL) - YES
Maria Cantwell (WA)- YES
Frank R. Lautenberg (NJ) - YES
Mark Pryor (AR)- NO
Thomas Carper (DE)- YES
Claire McCaskill (MO) - YES
Amy Klobuchar (MN) – NO


Republicans

Vice Chairman Ted Stevens(AK) - YES
John McCain (AZ) - YES
Trent Lott (MS) - YES
Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) - NO
Olympia J. Snowe (ME) - YES
Gordon Smith (OR) - NO
John Ensign (NV) - YES
John E. Sununu (NH) - absent
Jim DeMint (SC) - YES
David Vitter (LA) - NO
John Thune (SD) - NO

Call those that voted yes and THANK them for their support and encourage them to vocally support the bill when it reaches the main floor. Then start calling all of the other senators to say what you think. Remember, the pro-slaughter crowd is working hard to make sure this bill dies. The AQHA and other advocates have embarked on a massive (mis)information campaign to encourage people to call and oppose the bill. We cannot rest! Keep those calls a'coming!

[hollyt]

I'm astounded that Gordon Smith voted NO. He had been a supporter before...both Oregon senators were. What the hell happened?

Come on Oregon girls...time for him to get some phone calls!!!!

[atticus]

OH you can bet Gordon Smith is getting a letter from me!! I am about to draft it.

[atticus]

Here is my letter to Senator Smith. Here is a link to his page gsmith.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Home


Senator Smith,

I have to say as a citizen of the great state of Oregon I am appalled at you. Voting in opposition to SB 311. Have you forgotten the horse was essential in helping pioneers to build our great state? Horses are not just animals that can be thrown away in slaughter houses to feed the needs of other countries, to die inhumane deaths in those very slaughter houses and have their life blood drained from them while they are still alive, painfully. Horses are an American Icon they supported our country as it grew and worked tirelessly to build it for us. They are also a beloved figure in American society, every little girls first dream, Olympic heroes, beloved friends and part of the family.

As the rescuer of a slaughter bound horse, I think that if you were really educated on these horses and how they die in slaughter houses inhumanely, as a human being your vote would have been much different. I encourage you to get the facts, watch the videos of the horses being slaughtered and think to yourself....is that the way I would want any living creature to die?? Let alone an American Icon?? The spirits or great Americans have been raised by horses time and time again, they are in our heart.

Everyday when my seven year old son mounts the back of a horse, that would have otherwise been cast away in a slaughter house, I have to think we are so lucky to have him and what pain would he have endured if we had not stepped in. Just seeing him reminds me daily that life is precious and we should not take it for granted. I think that you should not take the lives of your Citizens of Oregon for granted either.

I have to say when voting comes up next time and I look to see your name on the ballot, and my friends and family are discussing voting, this email will come to my mind first and then I will explain it to them. Do we really want a person in office who would send an American Icon to its painful death?

Sincerely,

Ashley Le Gore
Portland Oregon

[watermarkfarm]

What calls do we need to make now? Who gets to hear my chipper, horse-rescuing voice over the phone?

I am calling my buddy Barbara B. right now to tell her how much I love her!!

[redstar]

We keep hitting the senate, with a thank you for those that voted in favor......

Here is a little blurb that may make you smile:)

Charles Stenholm, a former Texas congressman who has lobbied for groups opposing the ban, conceded "it's not looking good." He said the consequences of the ban will soon be seen when "unwanted horses suddenly start showing up on county roads that somebody has to take care of."

[NanciK]

That's hilarious, what a desperate statement! Have you noticed that it's mostly the old-timer politicians who can't seem to accept that the world is a different place than it was in the 60's and 70's? They are living in the past, looking at life in the rear-view mirror.

[Admin]

Funny how several of them (the NO voters) are also linked to the cattle industry. Hmm. Wonder how re-election will go for them AFTER WE GET THIS PASSED. Who is going to line their pockets now? hehe

If they were smart politicians they'd jump onto our side of the fence!

[Admin]

Slaughter Bills Advancing in Congress
by: The Associated Press
April 26 2007 Article # 9462

Article Tools



Congress is moving again to put a stop to the slaughter of horses even after legal rulings that have shut down the country's three slaughter plants.

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved a bill banning horse slaughter for human consumption on Wednesday. The vote was 15-7.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, was among those voting against the ban. She previously supported bills ending the practice, citing her experience riding and raising horses. Two of the country's three slaughter plants are in Texas.

Spokesman Marc Short said Hutchison voted against the ban this time because she believes the issue does not need to be addressed at the federal level. Hutchison believes recent a federal appeals court ruling upholding Texas' ban on horse slaughter illustrates that states are capable of handling the issue, Short said.

The U.S. House was expected to vote Thursday on a bill restoring a ban on the slaughter of wild horses and burros. The ban had been in place for more than 30 years, but Congress changed the law three years ago to permit older and unwanted horses to be sold for slaughter.

"To allow wild horses, a living symbol of the American West, to be sacrificed and slaughtered at the hands of an ill-advised and misguided federal policy that never should have been implemented represents great disrespect to the will of the American people and our nation's heritage," said Rep. Nick Rahall, House Natural Resources Committee chairman and sponsor of the legislation.

Animal protection groups and their allies have been trying for years to ban horse slaughter. The 2006 agriculture spending bill was stripped of money for horse inspectors' salaries and expenses.

Ban supporters had hoped that would end horse slaughter, but the U.S. Agriculture Department decided instead to offer horse slaughter plants inspections for a fee.

The slaughter ban advocates had more success in the courts. A federal appeals court in January upheld Texas' law banning the sale of horse meat for human consumption. In March a U.S. district court in Washington ordered USDA to stop the fee-for-service horse meat inspections.

The decisions have forced the shutdown of operations at the Texas plants and a third in Illinois.

"It's a new day. Given all the plants are not slaughtering horses for human consumption, it's easier than ever for Congress to halt the barbaric practice of killing these American icons," said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States.

Charles Stenholm, a former Texas congressman who has lobbied for groups opposing the ban, conceded "it's not looking good." He said the consequences of the ban will soon be seen when "unwanted horses suddenly start showing up on county roads that somebody has to take care of."

[Admin]

All I have to say is if they show up in the streets, it's much better than showing up on a plate!

We'll be there for our equine friends!

[calypso]

Hutchinson's spokesman points up something we need to emphasize - this NEEDS to be done on a federal level in order to close the borders to shipment of horses out of the country. That cannot be done effectively on a state level.

So, when you are blasting Hutchinson for her change in stance make sure THAT is you main point.

[redstar]

I totally agree with both of you PEC and Calypso...........we will be here for our equine friends.............yes this could never have been successful at state level.

[watermarkfarm]

I am with PEC, better they show up on the roads than on plates. And we will be here for them when we find them wandering the streets.

[beckybee]

You can see how effective the state legislation is - Feinstein is proud of California's anti-slaughter horse transportation laws, but it hasn't stopped California horses from going to slaughter in other states and countries.

Either the law isn't enforced or kill buyers have a sneaky way around the law ("I'm not taking these horses to slaughter, I just sold them to my horse dealer buddy in Nevada").

Usually the federal government gets involved in interstate/international transportation issues, so this is not an inconsistent application of federal jurisdiction.

[NanciK]

~~ UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE MARKUP PROCEDDINGS ~~
Senator Inouye:

And finally, S.B. 311. I was told that Senator Thune wants to be heard.

Senator Thune:

Mr. Chairman, I am going to oppose this particular Senate Bill, 311. I think it’s misguided. The humane euthanization of horses at approved processing plants is oftentimes a last resort for ranchers and other owners of feeble or other infirm horses, and in fact many veterinarian groups have determined that this method is the most humane way to deal with aging or neglected horses. The implications of passing a ban on horse slaughter without solutions to humanely dispose of these animals could be very ominous. It’s estimated that there are 70,000 to 80,000 horses that are disposed of each year in this country, and that number is expected to greatly increase, possibly doubling over the next few years, so...



[Interruption by a member of the public, who is escorted out.]



Senator Thune continues:



Senate Bill 311, Mr. Chairman, if it’s ultimately passed into law, there is a serious risk that aging and neglected horses cannot feasibly undergo long term humane treatment.



The alternative to horse slaughter is to transfer these animals to adoption or rescue facilities. The average capacity of such a facility in the United States is thirty horses. Considering the number that are currently disposed of each year in processing plants, we would need an additional 2700 adoption centers in the first year alone, to accommodate the sudden rise in numbers in these animals.



And I know where the votes are on this committee, but I would also say to my colleagues that if you think voting for this is going to solve the problem, the companies that process these animals are already building plants in Mexico and Canada, so you’re probably going to have to extend that transportation ban across international lines as well as state lines.



But I want the record to show my opposition to the bill and, Mr. Chairman, on this particular bill, I would ask for yeas and nays.





SenatorBoxer:



Mr. Chairman, could I just be heard very briefly? I would like to put my statement in the record in support of the bill; and just in direct debate with my friend Senator Thune: We have this law in place in California. This ban has been in place since 1998. The people voted for it --Proposition 6. The state has seen no increase in horse neglect cases; and horse theft rates have fallen by 34%. So I think all these predictions about it have not been borne out in my state of 37 million people, the largest state in the Union, and I would ask unanimous consent to place the rest of my statement in the record.





Senator Inouye: Without objection, so ordered.





Senator Ensign:



Mr. Chairman, if I may be heard just very briefly -- and I will try to keep my comments also brief. First of all, two recent developments on horse slaughter for human consumption being stopped by the courts in recent months. January, the Federal Appeals Court ruled the horse slaughter is illegal in Texas, upholding the state law from 1949 that was not being enforced. Also, just very recently in March, a Federal District Court ordered that the USDA must honor, it’s called, the Ensign Amendment -- my amendment from last year, or excuse me, from 2005 -- and stop accepting private funds to carry out inspections of horse slaughter plants. So, effectively, horse slaughter has been stopped in the United States.



A couple of points that have been raised by folks: One is that it’s an economic hardship to not allow the horse slaughter for human consumption. In other words, it’s a place where folks can go and at least get a little bit of money for the horse. Ninety-two percent of these horses that are being slaughtered for human consumption are deemed by the USDA to be healthy horses; and the cost of actually humanely euthanizing a horse is the equivalent of about one month’s care for a horse.



You know, the biggest problem that we have in the United States, and I don’t care whether it’s dogs or cats or horses, whatever it is, is we have irresponsible owners. People take on too many animals, and not understanding the implications of what it means to own horses.



There are really a lot of good people in my state who are opposed, you know, to this bill, and I understand that, and they’ve expressed that concern to me, and some of their arguments are legitimate. They actually care for the horses, and I will grant people that oppose this: that they actually think that they’re doing the right thing. That it’s more humane, that the financial incentive will allow the horses to be put down more humanely. I think the evidence historically goes against that. And, certainly, Senator Boxer mentioned the evidence in California certainly goes against that.



The other issue that was brought up by Senator Thune was Mexico and Canada -- where our bill stops the ability to do that as well.



So I think that there’s no question but this bill will pass in the committee, in the full Senate, and in the House, and I think, finally, we’ll be able to stop horse slaughter for human consumption in the United States. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.





[Another Senator asks whether the interruption is in the record, and responds to the interruption briefly.]





Senator Inouye:



The opposition of Senator Thune has been noted. With that, any further discussion, or not?





Senator Thune:



Mr. Chairman, I asked for yeas and nays on that. [Discussion of whether to do a voice vote, etc....] Mr. Chairman, the people that I represent in most of the western states -- and I understand the arguments in some of the states that have taken steps to this -- but there are an awful lot of ranchers in states like South Dakota who, for the past hundred years, have been taking good care of their livestock. And this is something that’s just a part of my state’s economic livelihood, and I would be remiss if I didn’t register my opposition and ask for the yeas and nays.


Senator Inouye:

We’ll call the roll.

[Yeas and nays are taken. Much of this is inaudible.]


[Unknown voice]:

Mr., Chairman, on this vote, the yeas are 15; the nays are 7.

Senator Inouye:

With that, the bill is passed.

[jenm]

watermarkfarm said:

What calls do we need to make now? Who gets to hear my chipper, horse-rescuing voice over the phone?

I am calling my buddy Barbara B. right now to tell her how much I love her!!

Katie,

If you want to make calls, you should join a calling group. I belong to one consisting of Californians and it's very well organized. We all share our results via email exchanges and everyone is very enthusiastic. Send a note to Stephanie if you are interested in participating: [e-mail]. Let me know if you have any questions. I highly recommend it!

[redstar]

Some more good news!!!!

We have won the house on H.R. 249 the bill that reinstates the wild horse and burro protection!!!!!!

[NanciK]

~~~ THE NEXT STEP TO TAKE TO HELP PASSAGE OF THE ANTI-SLAUGHTER BILL ~~~

Check this HSUS page, and use this email template to contact legislators, with the focus NOW on prohibiting cross-border transport to Canada and Mexico -- the last frontier to save our beloved American horses:

community.hsus.org/campaign/FED_2007_horse_slaughter2

[watermarkfarm]

Thanks, JenM, I am sending an email now to join the calling group.