Seven witnesses to testify Tuesday in congressional hearing on federal oversight

Seven witnesses are scheduled to testify on Tuesday morning at a congressional hearing in Washington D.C. to discuss legislation that would create a federal framework for regulation of horseracing, including several individuals who represent organizations that strongly support the bill.

The witnesses include William Lear, the vice chairman of The Jockey Club, which has lobbied extensively for the bill, along with Marty Irby, a former Humane Society executive who is now the head of Animal Wellness Action, a lobbying firm. Irby has stated his unequivocal support for the bill in the past.

Other witnesses include Joe De Francis, whose family once owned Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, who is now the chairman of the National Horseracing Advisory Council for the Humane Society of the U.S., and Chris McCarron, a Hall of Fame jockey who has pushed for the racing industry to support the bill.

In addition, the witness list includes Dr. Kathleen Anderson, a past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners; Dennis Drazin, the chairman and chief executive officer of a horsemen-led company that runs Monmouth Park; and Ed Martin, the president of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, an umbrella group for state racing commissions. Martin has expressed opposition to the legislation.

The bill, which was re-introduced last year, would appoint the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, a non-profit group, to lead an effort to devise and enforce medication rules for horse racing nationwide. Although several hearings have been held to discuss iterations of the bill over the past five years, the legislation has never advanced to a vote.

The hearing is being held in front of the Consumer Protection and Commerce subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.