{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/comer-presses-usda-for-answers-on-arbitrary-enforcement-of-horse-protection-act-seeks-transcribed-interview-with-key-official", "Comer Presses USDA for Answers on Arbitrary Enforcement of Horse Protection Act, Seeks Transcribed Interview with Key Official", "2024-10-08", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) is continuing to conduct oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and its promulgation of a final rule titled Horse Protection Amendments. Information obtained by the Oversight Committee and recent actions at Tennessee Walking Horse shows reveals USDA\u2019s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) may be exceeding its authority in inspections related to horse shows. In a letter to USDA Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack, Congressman Comer is now requesting that USDA make Dr. Aaron Rhyner, Assistant Director of APHIS, available to participate in a transcribed interview.\n\n.\n\n\u201cThe Committee on Oversight and Accountability is continuing to conduct oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and its promulgation of a final rule titled Horse Protection Amendments that will update USDA\u2019s standards regarding the HPA. The Committee initiated its oversight due to concerns about USDA\u2019s compliance with the HPA in light of recent actions at Tennessee Walking Horse shows. To further inform the Committee\u2019s investigation, the Committee requests that USDA make Dr. Aaron Rhyner, Assistant Director of USDA\u2019s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), available to participate in a transcribed interview,\u201d wrote Chairman James Comer.\n\n.\n\nThe Committee received allegations that the Assistant Director of USDA\u2019s APHIS sent an e-mail to horse show representatives on new competition inspection requirements two hours prior to a competition without warning or prior notification of forthcoming guidance. On August 9, 2024, Congressman Comer called on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to initiate a review of the USDA\u2019s policies and practices regarding implementation of the HPA. In addition, the Committee sought documents and information to enable oversight of APHIS\u2019s role in enforcing the HPA. To date, USDA has produced only limited documents in response to some of the Committee\u2019s requests.\n\n.\n\n\u201cIt is imperative that USDA enforces HPA in a manner that is fair, consistent, and within the bounds of its statutory authority. The Committee is concerned about USDA\u2019s compliance with the HPA, particularly considering allegations received by the Committee of arbitrary enforcement, lack of due process, and potential retribution against horse trainers and owners by disqualifying horses or changing inspection procedures at the last minute as retribution for filing a lawsuit. The Committee\u2019s role in this oversight is to safeguard the integrity of HPA\u2019s implementation and to protect the rights of those within the horse industry who depend on fair and consistent enforcement of the law as Congress intended. It is imperative that the Committee hear directly from Dr. Rhyner to understand USDA\u2019s approach to HPA enforcement and any related policy changes.,\u201d concluded Chairman James Comer.\n\n.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"]], "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://comer.house.gov/2024/10/comer-presses-usda-for-answers-on-arbitrary-enforcement-of-horse-protection-act-seeks-transcribed-interview-with-key-official"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 3.87252913787961, "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"}