The U.S. House voted once more to stop spending money on inspections of horse slaughter plants.

The measure, approved late Thursday, was part of a $91 billion spending bill for farm subsidies and nutrition programs.

Two horse slaughter plants were operating in Texas and one in Illinois, but court fights led to their shutdown over the past year. (A July 18 decision by a U.S. Circuit Court allowed the Illinois plant to resume operations temporarily while an appeal is considered.)

Animal protection groups have been trying for years to get Congress to pass legislation prohibiting the slaughter of horses for human consumption and have won overwhelming votes. But the bills either stalled or were thwarted by legislative or bureaucratic maneuvers