Barr, Tonko to testify at hearing for their medication bill

Reps. Paul Tonko and Andy Barr, the co-sponsors of legislation that would appoint a federal overseer for Thoroughbred racing’s drug policies, will provide testimony during a hearing on Friday to discuss the bill, according to the congressional subcommittee that has organized the hearing.

Tonko, a Democrat representing parts of upstate New York, and Barr, a Republican representing parts of Central Kentucky, are two of eight individuals who have been invited to provide testimony at the hearing, scheduled for 9 a.m. in Washington D.C. in front of the House Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee. The two representatives introduced the legislation last year.

The bill, which would install a private, non-profit company, the United States Anti-Doping Agency, at the head of a national regulatory structure, has sharply divided the racing community. The bill would also ban the raceday use of the anti-bleeding medication furosemide, a provision that is being resolutely opposed by rank-and-file horsemen’s groups across the U.S.

As reported last week by Daily Racing Form, other witnesses who have been invited to speak at the hearing include Stuart Janney, an owner-breeder who is the chairman of the Jockey Club; Craig Fravel, the chief executive of Breeders’ Cup Ltd.; Kitty Block, the president of the Humane Society of the U.S.; Eric Hamelback, the chief executive of the National Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association; Alan Foreman, the chairman of the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association; and Ed Martin, the president of the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

That portion of the witness list represents a balance of individuals who support and oppose the legislation, with the Jockey Club, Breeders’ Cup, and HSUS in support, and the National HBPA, THA, and RCI in opposition. Both sides have also claimed the endorsement of a large number of other organizations.

Barr is up for re-election this year, and he is facing a retired Marine fighter pilot, Amy McGrath, a Democrat, in a race that is now being called a toss-up by election observers. The bill is especially contentious within the Central Kentucky horse community, with deep-pocketed breeders in support but many racetrack workers in opposition.