POLISCOPE
Back to feed
FEDERALhearing transcript
Finance Detected

Hearing on the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2017

Original title: H.R. 2651, THE HORSERACING INTEGRITY ACT OF 2017

January 1, 2019

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

Finance Connection

Notable money activity
$66,900across 9 reported contributions
Trace money trail →
CandidateDonorAmountIndustryDate
FRIENDS OF ANDY BARR COMMITTEECLEMENTI, MICHAEL S$17,000PRESIDENTMar 2026
FRIENDS OF ANDY BARR COMMITTEECLEMENTI, CHRISTOPHER$17,000CEOMar 2026
FRIENDS OF ANDY BARR COMMITTEEPATRICOFF, NELEA$10,000-Mar 2026
FRIENDS OF ANDY BARR COMMITTEEPATRICOFF, HAROLD JR.$10,000ATTORNEYMar 2026
FRIENDS OF ANDY BARR COMMITTEECLEMENTI, JUSTIN$10,000VICE PRESIDENTMar 2026
FRIENDS OF ANDY BARR COMMITTEEAMERICAN MARITIME OFFICERS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION FUND$1,000-Mar 2026
FRIENDS OF ANDY BARR COMMITTEEABRAMOWITZ, KENNETH$1,000RETIREDMar 2026
Alfred MartinAlfred Martin$800County<br>CommissionerMar 2026
Alfred MartinAlfred Martin$100County<br>CommissionerMar 2026

Reported financial relationships and timing signals. This does not prove motive or influence. Readers draw their own conclusions.

The Frame

What this does

The proposed legislation aimed to shift horseracing regulation from a patchwork of state-level rules to a centralized national standard for medication and drug testing, affecting how racehorses are treated and monitored across the United States.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Thoroughbred horse owners and trainers

The proposed legislation would change the regulatory standards for medication and drug testing they must follow.

State racing commissions

The bill would shift regulatory authority from state-level bodies to a national standard.

Animal welfare organizations

These groups are involved in the debate regarding the ethical treatment and medication of racehorses.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2019.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This document is a transcript record of a 2018 House Subcommittee hearing regarding H.R. 2651, a bill proposed to establish national standards for medication and drug testing in the horseracing industry. The hearing featured testimony from lawmakers, industry leaders, and animal welfare advocates regarding the potential for federal oversight of racing integrity.

Key Facts

  • The hearing was held on June 22, 2018, by the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.
  • The primary subject was H.R. 2651, the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2017.
  • The bill proposed creating a national, uniform standard for medication and drug testing in the horseracing industry.
  • The hearing included testimony from seven witnesses representing industry organizations, racing commissions, and animal welfare groups.
  • Several witnesses, including those from the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, The Jockey Club, and The Breeders' Cup, provided written statements and answers to follow-up questions.
  • The committee record includes supplemental statements from the ASPCA and other submitted documents regarding the bill.

Why It Matters

The proposed legislation aimed to shift horseracing regulation from a patchwork of state-level rules to a centralized national standard for medication and drug testing, affecting how racehorses are treated and monitored across the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was held to discuss and gather testimony on H.R. 2651, which sought to establish national standards for medication and drug testing in the horseracing industry.
Who testified at the hearing?
Witnesses included Representatives Andy Barr and Paul Tonko, as well as leaders from the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Humane Society of the United States, the Association of Racing Commissioners International, and The Breeders' Cup.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Show 3 more sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Centralization of Racing Regulation

The hearing highlights a clear legislative push to move from state-based regulation to a federal, uniform standard for horse medication.

Connected Entities

personEd MartinPresident of the Association of Racing Commissioners International.Map →
personStuart S. Janney, IIIChairman of The Jockey Club.Map →
personAlan M. ForemanChairman and CEO of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Inc.Map →
personEric HamelbackCEO of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.Map →
personKitty BlockActing President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States.Map →
personAndy BarrU.S. Representative from Kentucky who testified at the hearing.Map →
personPaul TonkoU.S. Representative from New York who testified at the hearing.Map →
personCraig FravelCEO of The Breeders' Cup.Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance60
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz5
    Current news / social attention level

Publisher tools

Share or embed this record

POLISCOPE publisher tools

Share or embed this record