{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D5F5CC49-2D86-44FA-9D29-82845983F222", "Barr Introduces WAGER Act to Boost Equine Industry and Rural Economies", "2025-07-25", "2025", "2025-07", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced the Winnings and Gains Expense Restoration (WAGER) Act of 2025. This legislation enables wagerers to fully deduct legitimate wagering losses from their winnings.\n\n\u201cRestoring full deductibility of wagering losses will help the thoroughbred horse racing industry maximize economic value for equine businesses,\u201d said Congressman Barr, Chairman of the Congressional Horse Caucus. \u201cI\u2019ll work to deliver the WAGER Act in Congress and appreciate the work of equine and thoroughbred horse racing advocates in fighting for this bill alongside me.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased that Rep. Barr continues to show his support for the horse industry by sponsoring the WAGER Act, which will restore the ability of horseplayers to deduct 100% of gambling losses in a tax year,\u201d said Damon Thayer, former State Senate Majority Leader. \u201cIts passage is critical to the very foundation of the horse racing industry: fans and customers. The tax code should encourage support for Kentucky\u2019s signature industry, and I appreciate Rep. Barr\u2019s understanding of the financial underpinnings that make it work. I look forward to its successful passage before the end of the year.\u201d\n\nEnsuring horseplayers can fully deduct losses is essential to maintaining a healthy wagering ecosystem that drives purses, supports breeders and sustains the broader racing economy,\u201d said Shannon Arvin, CEO of Keeneland. \u201cKeeneland thanks Congressman Barr for his proactive leadership and advocacy for the horse racing community and its economic future.\n\n\u201cBreeders' Cup stands behind the horseplayers that form a vital cornerstone of our sport, directly contributing to Thoroughbred racing's entire ecosystem with their wagering activity. We recognize the need for a fair and realistic tax framework for bettors, and thank Congressman Barr for his continued leadership and advocacy on policy issues that impact horse racing,\u201d said Drew Fleming, President & CEO, Breeders\u2019 Cup Limited.\n\n\u201cKentucky\u2019s live handle has grown since 2020, bucking a national trend to become the best racing circuit in America. Horseplayers are vital to the livelihoods of over 33,000 Kentuckians employed in horse racing, and KTA is grateful to Congressman Barr for supporting our owners, trainers, breeders and horseplayers equally to ensure competitiveness,\u201d said Chauncey Morris, Executive Director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.\n\n\u201cThe NTRA commends Congressman Barr for introducing the WAGER Act, which will restore the 100% tax deduction for gaming losses,\u201d said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. \u201cThoroughbred racing is built on horseplayers. The changes to the tax deduction are harmful to them and must be fixed. We\u2019re glad that this issue has not been ignored and look forward to it being swiftly addressed. Congressman Barr has always been an advocate for the Thoroughbred racing industry and continues to be with this bill. The NTRA will continue to work alongside the Representative, the Trump administration, and leaders in the House and Senate to restore the tax deduction.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:40:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D5F5CC49-2D86-44FA-9D29-82845983F222"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.61374406889081, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}