Paul Tonko: “I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.…”

“I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. More than 5 years ago, I, along with my good friend and colleague, Representative Andy Barr, introduced the first version of this legislation. It has been an honor to work with Representative Barr for many years to get to this point that speaks to an industry that provides many, many jobs and is a deeply rooted bit of history in these United States. Now we will move forward with a very good bill. I offer my sincere thanks to Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member Walden for their support and to also echo my support and thanks to our Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce chair, Jan Schakowsky, and the ranking member, Representative Rodgers, for their support and guidance, also, throughout this process. Now, with the support and leadership of Majority Leader McConnell and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate, we are finally poised to cross the finish line on this historic reform. I need to thank Jeff Morgan, our legislative director in my office, for the numerous, numerous hours that he has spent on making certain that, as we move to the finish line on this process, details were addressed and concerns were also equally responded to. Horseracing, as it has been said, has been long woven into the fabric of our American culture.…”