The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) announced today that six additional members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed on in support of the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 (THIA). They are Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Susan Brooks (R-IN), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), David Joyce (R-OH), Jerold Nadler (D-NY), and Joe Wilson (R-SC).  

“The growing number of co-sponsors supporting this bill is an illustration of its wide appeal, across party lines and state lines,” said Staci Hancock, co-founder of the Water Hay Oats Alliance, one of the member organizations of the CHRI. “The racing community continues to advocate for uniform standards and a level playing field for interstate horse racing through independent oversight by USADA. We are proud that this bill continues to gather support, and value the leadership each of our co-sponsors demonstrates in backing this critical legislation.”

THIA, or H.R.3084, is the only legislative proposal with active support across a wide range of stakeholders that make up America’s horse racing community. The new co-sponsors, comprising an even split between Democrats and Republicans, represent districts from six states across the country, demonstrating the widespread support THIA continues to earn on Capitol Hill.

In supporting THIA, Representatives Blumenauer, Brooks, DeLauro, Joyce, Nadler and Wilson join House co-authors Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) as well as co-sponsors Richard Hanna (R-NY), David Jolly (R-FL), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Ted Yoho (R-FL).

The Coalition’s membership includes Arapahoe Park, the Breeders’ Cup Ltd., Centaur Gaming, the Consignors and Commercial Breeders Association, the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), The Jockey Club, Keeneland Association Inc., the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders, the Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, and the Water Hay Oats Alliance.

The Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 will direct the non-governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to create an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country to create uniform, high standards in drug and medication testing and enforcement for Thoroughbred horse racing.

Additional information, including stories from supporters and ways to contact Congressional members to express support for this legislation, is available at www.horseracingintegrity.com.