WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) reintroduced the Veterans for Mustangs Act (VMA). This bipartisan legislation would allow American veterans to administer humane fertility control to wild horses and burros to assist with population management.
“The current handling of our wild horses is not only inhumane but also results in extensive financial burdens for the Bureau of Land Management,” said Rep. Lisa McClain. “The Veterans for Mustangs Act would provide humane population control to our wild horse program, provide a unique form of healing for our American veterans, and save the taxpayers billions of dollars. That’s a win-win-win.”
Rep. McClain and Rep. Carter (D-LA) led the bill and were joined in their efforts by Reps. Moore (R-AL), Neguse (D-CO), Salazar (R-FL), García (D-IL), Shakowsky (D-IL), Moolenaar (R-MI), Titus (D-NV), Malliotakis (R-NY), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mace (R-SC) and Doggett (D-TX).
“Horses are some of our nation’s most cherished animals and should be treated as such. This bill prioritizes humane fertility controls to manage populations of wild, free-roaming horses and burros while also providing jobs and healing for our veterans with post-traumatic stress and other disorders resulting from combat. It’s a win-win solution that will save taxpayer dollars and give these animals the care that they deserve,” said Co-lead, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr.
“The Veterans for Mustangs Act will help protect wild horses and burros on our federal lands from being rounded-up and sterilized in facilities on the taxpayer’s dime,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “I’m pleased to join Reps. McClain, Carter, and others in introducing this bipartisan legislation that will save horses, federal tax dollars, and promote interaction between veterans with PTSD and wild equids, providing alternative forms of healing and therapy.”
This bill is supported by Animal Wellness Action, Veterans for Mustangs, American Horse Protection Society, Center for Humane Economy, Flag Is Up Farms – Monty Roberts, Horse Sense and Healing, War Horse Creek, Devil Dog Depot Equine Sanctuary and Rescue, and 70+ additional national and state organizations.
We applaud Reps. McClain, Carter, and the rest of the Members backing the Veterans for Mustangs Act for their leadership and dedication in protecting both our American heroes and the iconic American horses upon whose very backs this country was built,” said Marty Irby, executive director at Animal Wellness Action and eight-time world champion equestrian. “The Veterans for Mustangs Act would help curb the Bureau of Land Management’s assault against wild equines on federal lands and save the taxpayers billions of dollars by administering common-sense immunocontracpetive birth control instead of rounding up and warehousing masses of horses and burros.”
"We're elated to see the Veterans for Mustangs Act reintroduced in bipartisan fashion and believe this legislation will be a game changer in the fight to help wild horses and veterans alike," said Cameron Ring, founder of Veterans for Mustangs and a former National Guard Soldier. "We offer tremendous thanks and applause for Reps. McClain, Carter, and the Members of Congress leading this effort."
“We are so grateful for the Members of Congress who’ve stepped in to help better protect the wild horses and burros on the range that I’ve been deeply connected to and have observed since childhood.” said Monty Roberts, the ‘Man Who Listens to Horses,’ one of the leading horsemen on the planet. “The Veterans for Mustangs Act will enable veterans with post-traumatic stress and other traumas to engage in activities that will produce meaningful results for the betterment of equines and humans alike.”
Background:
Despite being an iconic symbol of the American spirit, wild mustangs have been mismanaged by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which continues to round up the wild horse and burro population by helicopter. Under the Biden Administration, the U.S. has seen more roundups and the mass incarceration of more wild horses in a one-year period than under any other Administration prior.
The Veterans for Mustang Act would direct the Secretary of Interior to implement humane fertility controls to manage populations of wild free-roaming horses and burros.
The program would save the taxpayers billions of dollars.
Rep. McClain first introduced this legislation in April 2022 during the 117th Congress.
