Wild Horse Bill Bucks American Priorities

Press Release

Today, Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hasting, R-Wash., Western Caucus Chairman Rob Bishop, R-Utah., Congressman Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Congressman Louie Gohmert, R- TX, held a press conference to address Democrat efforts to pass legislation that will create a new $700 million welfare program for wild horses and burros.

"Wyoming is home to thousands of wild horses and the overpopulation is having a devastating impact on our grass resources. The passage of this legislation will further exacerbate the problem, requiring millions of additional tax dollars to come in and repair the damage left behind by horses and burros," said Congressman Cynthia Lummis. "This is not only the worst piece of legislation of the day- but this is historically by far the worst piece of legislation for our grass resources."

"The actions we will take today demonstrate that the leaders of this congress have more concern for creating homes for horses than jobs for Americans," said Congressman Bishop. "We spend more time focusing on failed stimulus packages, bailouts, bloated budgets, and frivolous legislation like this bill than we do on providing sustainable, long-term jobs for Americans. Our national unemployment rate is reaching near double digit proportions, and yet, here we are talking about a bailout program for horses and burros."

"This is not the direction this congress ought to take. Given the economic situation we are in, with over 14.5 million Americans out of work, we should be exploring ways to enhance our economy rather than spending more taxpayer dollars on a dubious program for wild horses and burros," said House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings.

Because rangeland forage is finite, reductions in cattle and wildlife would be anticipated and expected in areas where wild horse herds are expanded.

"You would think that what is going on today is comical, but it's not a comedy, it is a tragedy given today's record unemployment rates. People are losing their homes and their jobs, yet, today, we are focusing our resources on creating homes for horses, rather than much-need jobs for American people," said Congressman Louie Gohmert.

Specifically, this legislation:

Requires that wild horses and burros be considered an "integral part of the natural system" on all public lands, not just the areas where they were found when the Act was passed in 1971;

Conducts a horse census every two years;

Provides "enhanced contraception" and birth control for horses;

Establishes an additional 19 million acres of public and private land for wild horses;

Covers $5 million tab to repair horse damage to land; and,

Mandates that government bureaucrats perform home inspections before Americans can adopt horses.

Source