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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
May 16, 2025

Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Bring Effective Regulation to Horse Racing

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA), which protects the health and welfare of racing horses and improves the integrity and safety of horse racing. Congressman Clay Higgins (Louisiana-03) has introduced companion legislation in the House.

“The RHSA will provide horse owners and racetracks flexibility, while also bringing safe and effective regulation to the horseracing industry,” said Senator Cotton.

“Government overreach is impacting industries across our nation with rules in places where they have no business being,” said Congressman Higgins. “The well-intentioned disaster of HISA proved that enforcing uniformed rules in horse racing plagues the industry with confusion and disruption. This legislation is rooted in science and draws from industry experts. It is of horsemen, by horsemen, and for horsemen. We must push back against federal oppression and protect the horse racing industry and the beautiful animals we love.”

Full text of the legislation may be found here.

The Racehorse Health and Safety Act would:

  • Repeal the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA);
  • Grant states the right to enter into the interstate compact, which is a contract between multiple states to develop nationwide rules governing scientific control and racetrack safety for horse racing;
  • Establish the Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO), which will regulate the horse racing industry;
  • Establish three Scientific Medication Control Committees (SMCCs) to draft recommended rules for each breed.

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