The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) released the following document yesterday (Sept. 7) in response to the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a historic step toward ending the slaughter of American horses for human consumption abroad, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, in a vote of 263 to 146. The Humane Society of the United States, the largest animal protection organization in the country, has been lobbying Congress to enact the ban and applauds today’s action.

“The House today took us one giant step closer to halting the barbaric and needless slaughter of American horses for foreign consumers,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “Now it’s up to the U.S. Senate to replicate its prior votes against the disreputable practice of horse slaughter and establish enduring protections for these icons of our culture.”

Two amendments were offered to gut H.R. 503, and the House defeated both measures. An amendment by Rep. Robert Goodlatte (R-Va.) was defeated 177 to 229, and the amendment by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) was defeated 149 to 256