Congressman
Bob Goodlatte(R-VA), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has
claimed several times, including during a recent radio interview in
his district, that even if he supported the American Horse Slaughter
Prevention Act (H.R. 857), movement of the bill is out of his hands.
Like his other claims on why he doesn't support the bill, this is again
false. As Chairman of a Committee, Mr. Goodlatte controls the
schedule: which bills are heard, and when. Of course, there are many
bills that the Committee could hear so they tend to schedule bills that
will pass or are important.
The AHSPA
is clearly one of these bills. It currently has the support of a
majority of the US House of Representatives and has become one
of the most talked about bills on Capitol Hill. Furthermore, Mr.
Goodlatte has publicly stated several times that he will not allow
this bill out of his committee. Mr. Goodlatte is also actively
pressuring his colleagues to pull their support. Three members from
the House Agriculture Committee alone withdrew their support at the
"request of the Chairman." If Mr. Goodlatte had no say,
then why does he pressure members to pull their support? If, as
he contends, the bill would not pass his Committee then why doesn't he
allow a hearing and vote to take place?
Mr.
Goodlatte's office is now making this claim when answering calls about the
bill and movement. Just be aware that he is responsible for its
movement, or lack thereof.