Congress reintroduced the Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act (SAFE Act) in both houses on Feb. 27, reviving legislation that would prohibit horse slaughter for human consumption and ban shipping horses abroad for slaughter.
The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), alongside Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).
“The slaughter of horses for human consumption is barbaric and has no place in America,” Rep. Buchanan said in a statement. “As Co-Chairman of the Animal Protection Caucus, I look forward to continuing to lead this effort with Congresswoman Schakowsky to protect these beautiful creatures.”
No horses have been slaughtered in the U.S. since 2007, when domestic slaughterhouses closed after the government stopped funding Food and Drug Administration inspectors required for meat exports. However, “kill buyers” continue purchasing horses at auctions for transport to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico.
Efforts to pass anti-slaughter legislation have persisted for over two decades, with the first bill introduced during the second session of Congress in 2002.
“While each effort has received bipartisan support, getting the bill over the finish line has been a frustrating endeavor,” said Chris Heyde, founder of Blue Marble Strategy, LLC, a lobbying group.
Heyde explained that initial support for banning slaughter was strong across party lines. “Sadly, the agriculture industry got involved and started to oppose it. The opposition even had lobbyists, claiming it was just the first step in going after meat consumption. That is a tired old scare tactic folks roll out for anything on even the most modest welfare issue.”
Pro-slaughter advocates have argued that banning the practice would lead to horse abandonment and starvation — a claim Heyde disputes.
“We have also had strong bipartisan support through the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on our annual effort to defund horse slaughter inspections,” he said. “That actually blows the opponents other big lie, that what will we do with all of the horses if slaughter is stopped? In 2012 there were 166,000 horses slaughtered and now we are down to just under 20,000.”
Louis Masry, a horse owner and activist who has advocated for anti-slaughter legislation for two decades, believes incorporating the SAFE Act into a large omnibus bill — similar to how the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) passed — offers the best chance of success.
“This time, I think we will have a better opportunity to insert it into a bill,” Masry said. “On Monday, President Trump announced that he is looking for one large bill, which is inclusive of a lot of different things. He wants a very large comprehensive bill. That tells us that there will be a lot of different areas where we could potentially insert the bill. That has made me optimistic.”
Masry plans to focus on securing support from Kentucky’s congressional delegation.
“When people think of horses they think of Kentucky. Now that we’ve introduced the bill, if we can add the Kentucky members to the list of people supporting the bill, that would be a big push,” he said.
He intends to meet with Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, whose support was crucial for HISA’s passage.
Rep. Buchanan has suggested adding language banning slaughter to the Farm Bill. In a press release, he noted his previous success working with the late Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) to get the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act signed into law as part of the 2018 Farm Bill.
“The SAFE Act builds upon that legislation by adding horses, donkeys and burros to the prohibition,” Buchanan stated. “The lawmakers hope to include the SAFE Act as part of the 2025 Farm Bill when it is considered by Congress later this year.”
Despite years of setbacks, Heyde remains optimistic about eventually ending horse slaughter.
“As I have always said, I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think it is possible,” he said. “I really do think we can end this cruel practice. The American public and even Congress has shown overwhelming support for the ban.”
