Be a Voice for America's Horses: Contact Your Congressperson Today!
Now we need your phone calls again as the bill comes to the full House for a vote this week, most likely on Wednesday June 15! The pro-horse slaughter forces are working hard to repeal the anti-horse-slaughter amendment, and may offer an amendment to remove the Committee-approved language prohibiting the USDA from spending your tax dollars to inspect horse slaughter facilities. We must make sure this important provision, which has been included in every Appropriations Bill since 2005, stands!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Contact your Congressional representative today by taking the easy action below. Urge him/her to oppose an effort to change or repeal the Moran amendment to the 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill.
1. Type in your zip code below (and your street address, if requested) to locate your Congressperson. (Note: if your street is not recognized, please locate your nine digit zip code here and type that in below.)
2. Your Congressperson's telephone number will appear beneath the sample letter.
Call the office and deliver the following message:
Hello, I’m calling to urge Rep.____ to oppose any amendment to restore horse slaughter in the 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The overwhelming majority of Americans oppose horse slaughter and do not want this cruel industry re-established in our country. Thank you."3. Personalize and submit the sample letter below as a follow up to your telephone call. Your Congressperson may ask you to choose a topic area for our email - we suggest that you choose "Appropriations" or "Agriculture."
But be sure to make those calls! Just sending the letter alone will not suffice - your phone call is what will make the difference.
America's Horses Need Your Voice - Please Call Your Congressperson Today.
One Minute of Your Time Could Save Countless Lives - Thank you!!
BACKGROUND
On May 30, 2011, the House Appropriations Committee adopted, by a 24 to 21 vote, an amendment, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), to prohibit federal funding of USDA inspections of horse slaughter plants. A ban on USDA inspections halts the issuance of certifications for horsemeat exports, which has stopped operations at horse slaughter facilities and prevented new facilities from opening. In addition to improving U.S. animal welfare, the Moran amendment will reduce federal spending by $5 million each year. The 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill now heads to the floor for a full vote by the House of Representatives. (Source: Rep. Moran 5/31/11 News Release.) One of the greatest threats to America's horses -- both domestic and captured mustangs -- -- is the possibility of commercial slaughter.
Although Americans overwhelmingly oppose the cruel practice, an increasingly vocal minority wants to profit from the suffering of horses by re-opening slaughter plants in the U.S. These horse-slaughter profiteers have hired former Congressman Charlie Stenholm to lobby for their cruel cause. They can be expected to pull out all the stops to try to remove the Moran amendment from the Agriculture Appropriations Bill in order to open the door for the re-establishment of the horse slaughter industry in the U.S.
Be a voice for the horses today! Take a moment to make a phone call to your Congressperson without delay!
“Industrial slaughter of horses should not be condoned by the United States Government. We have to put an end once and for all to this practice. These animals are a proud symbol of the American West, treasured by all for their beauty and majesty. They deserve to be cared for, not killed for foreign consumption.”
- U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, May 31, 2011
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