Wild Horses & Capitol Hill: The Ongoing Battle Against Slaughter

February 8, 2018 - The phrase 'hurry up and wait' aptly describes the current situation on Capitol Hill as the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) strives to prevent the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from advancing its agenda to slaughter wild horses.

With a new federal budget deadline looming, the short-term continuing resolution (CR) that ended the recent government shutdown is set to expire today. Unlike the previous budget impasse, this one is expected to proceed more smoothly. The anticipated agreement is another short-term CR, extending the budget for just one month, allowing both parties to negotiate a broader deal based on the budget deal crafted by Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer. This extension means another month of uncertainty and significant risk for wild horses and burros, as these budget decisions have profound implications for their future on the Western range.

The Department of Interior's BLM is urging Congress to use the budget to authorize the slaughter of 'excess' horses, despite 80% of Americans opposing such measures. Like you, AWHC advocates for the proper management of herds and their habitats, ensuring their preservation for future generations.

Currently, our team in Washington reports no immediate threat to wild horses in the ongoing budget negotiations, though certainty will only come once the deal is finalized. House Republicans have passed their version of the one-month CR without provisions affecting horses. The bill now awaits Senate approval and potential amendments, with uncertainty about any policy riders that might be introduced. We remain concerned about the outcomes of negotiations leading up to the next deadline in March, as special interest groups may push for carve-outs in any budget deal.

This includes Big Agribusiness, which seeks to clear more federal land for subsidized livestock, potentially leading to the slaughter of wild horses to make way. We are committed to advocating for wild horses, working daily on Capitol Hill alongside allies like Senators Murkowski and Udall, and Representative McCollum, to ensure no slaughter occurs.

Ultimately, we can only secure the future of wild horses and burros with your support. As the March deadline for Congress to finalize the 2018 budget approaches, your voice and support may be crucial in amplifying our message to Congress: protect our wild horses and wild lands! Please join us and stay alert for our action alerts to help address threats to our wild horses in a timely manner. Meanwhile, you can sign our petition to Congress.