Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, issued the following statement today regarding the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 1518:
“I regret to inform you that Speaker of the House, John Boehner, currently refuses to bring the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act to the floor for a vote. His decision is inconsistent with leadership’s stated preference for adhering to regular order. Furthermore, it is too late in the year to resort to a discharge petition according to House rules.
"I am sad that a bill which 70 percent of the House of Representatives support, including 115 Republicans, can’t be brought to a vote. I am particularly frustrated because many horses will continue to be abused on a daily basis, unless the PAST Act becomes law.
"There have been thousands of sound horse advocates as well as numerous groups such as the American Horse Council, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, National Sheriffs Association, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and the veterinary medical associations from 50 states that have helped create vast support for this bill.
"I will not give up. I remain dedicated to ending the rampant practice of soring and I encourage everyone to ramp up their efforts to do the same.”