Two separate legislative proposals targeting horse slaughter and bicycle safety education have taken a major step toward becoming law after being folded into a massive federal transportation package.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the measures today as part of the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th (BUILD America 250) Act. The underlying bill is a bipartisan, five-year surface transportation reauthorization plan that is now headed to the full House floor.
The first measure is a modified version of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, or H.R. 1661, introduced by Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan. The revised language creates a permanent ban on transporting horses across lines for the purpose of slaughter for human consumption.
Buchanan, who co-chairs the congressional Animal Protection Caucus, pushed the measure alongside Representatives Dina Titus and Jeff Van Drew. The standalone bill currently lists 229 bipartisan cosponsors in the House, while a companion version sits in the Senate, sponsored by Lindsey Graham and Ben Ray Luján.
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The second measure is the Biking Instruction, Knowledge, and Education (BIKE) Act, known as H.R. 4699. Jointly introduced by Buchanan and Representative Seth Magaziner, the legislation alters how states can spend federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) grant funding.
Under current federal guidelines, states are restricted from using Section 402 and Section 405 traffic safety grants to fund cycling education. The new provision lifts that restriction, explicitly permitting those federal dollars to go toward local bicycle safety and public awareness programs.
“I want to thank Chairman Graves for advancing my longstanding priorities as part of this bipartisan investment in America’s future,” Buchanan said in a statement released Tuesday. “Protecting American horses from slaughter reflects our values as a nation, and I’m proud that a modified version of my SAFE Act will finally end this inhumane practice permanently. Thank you to Rep. Titus and Rep. Van Drew for fighting for this bill and ensuring its inclusion within the BUILD America 250 Act.”
Buchanan also commented on the inclusion of the cycling education guidelines. “I’m also pleased that my BIKE Act with Rep. Magaziner was included in the package, which will ensure that federal funding can be used to support bicycle education and safety programs. I look forward to passing the BUILD America 250 Act and sending it to President Trump’s desk to sign my key priorities into law.”
The broader BUILD America 250 Act must still clear a full vote in the House of Representatives and pass the Senate before it can be sent to the executive branch for a final signature.
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