... but you can't make Congress think. Actually, while we have watched at least one and maybe two terrorist plots against airlines get stopped at the last moment this month, Congress has busied itself with making sure that the feds can stop you from leading a horse to slaughter, as I've posted on today's Heritage Foundation Policy Blog:

H.R. 503 will amend the Horse Protection Act to enact federal bans on sales, donations, transport, and possession of horses for slaughter. That may be bad enough for fans of federalism, who will rightly wonder about the constitutional basis for federal protection of horses. However, the text at the end of the bill should get some attention -- "Section 12 of the Horse Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1831) is amended by striking “$500,000” and inserting “$5,000,000”."

In a month when we have seen at least one, and now possibly two, terrorist plots against American airlines, Congress seems more interested in the safety of horses. Not only does Congress have some priority and jurisdiction issues, the financial impact seems highly strange. Did the dangers of human consumption of horses suddenly expand tenfold?

There's more to this as well. The $5 million doesn't come close to funding this mandate, something that the bill's 203 co-sponsors should have to explain but probably will not. Read the whole thing.

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» Stop horsing around from The Florida Masochist
No it isn't. TFM grew up following horse racing because of my father's ownership of standardbred horses. What are we supposed to do with these animals when they die? [Read More]

Tracked on August 24, 2006 8:45 AM

» Stop horsing around from The Florida Masochist
No it isn't. TFM grew up following horse racing because of my father's ownership of standardbred horses. What are we supposed to do with these animals when they die? [Read More]

Tracked on August 24, 2006 9:22 AM

» Stop horsing around from The Florida Masochist
Congress is considering new legislation. H.R. 503 would ammend the Horse Protection Act so as to prohibit the transportation of horses for slaughter and human consumption. While transportation systems for humans still require plenty of improvements, Co... [Read More]

Tracked on August 24, 2006 10:07 AM