DeLauro on USDA Decision to Begin Inspecting Horse Slaughter Plant

WASHINGTON, DC--Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) releasedthe following statement today regarding the Department of Agriculture (USDA)'sdecision to begin federal inspections of a horse slaughter facility. Thedecision means that one plant in the United States may now engage in horseslaughter, something previously prohibited by annual appropriations bills.

"Congress should promptly reinstate the provision thatprohibited spending federal dollars to inspect horse slaughter facilities and Iam encouraged my colleagues have taken steps to do so. I will continue my workto prevent horse slaughter in the pending agriculture appropriations bill."

DeLauro, former chair of the subcommittee responsible forfunding the USDA, ensured federal funds could not be used to inspect suchfacilities in the United States during her tenure as subcommittee chair. Aftertaking over the House majority in 2011, Republicans failed to continue thatpractice. The Obama Administration's proposed budget asks Congress to reinstatethat provision, which would result in the practice once again being banned.

During the Appropriation Committee's consideration of theagriculture appropriations bill earlier this month, DeLauro spoke in support ofan amendment to reinstate the ban. That amendment was accepted, as was asimilar amendment in the Senate's counterpart bill.