Restore Our American Mustangs Act (H.R. 1018)
April 29, 2009 Full Committee Markup

Reporting H.R. 1018 out of Committee (Passed 21-14. View Roll Call Vote)
The Restore Our American Mustangs Act would expand the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) wild horse and burro program by $700 million.  H.R. 1018 repeals a provision of current law, which states that wild horses and burros shall be protected in the areas where they are currently found.  By removing this provision, the bill would expand BLM’s jurisdiction to areas where wild horses and burros are not currently found.  The bill would establish a horse census every two years, provide "enhanced contraception" and birth control for horses, and mandate that government bureaucrats perform home inspections before Americans can adopt these animals.

Bishop Amendment #2 – Ability for Governors to Opt-out (Failed 13-16. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment would allow for a governor of a state the ability to opt-out of having a wild horse sanctuary that is authorized in this legislation.  These wild horse sanctuaries would pose serious threats to threatened and endangered species.  If a governor of an affected state has serious concerns about have a wild horse sanctuary being located on their lands then they should be able do what they believe is best for their state.  This amendment sees to it that states most affected by this legislation should have a say in how this program will operate.

Chaffetz Amendment #1 – Joint Advisory Board (Failed 15-17. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment ensures that the wild horse and burro program has the proper individuals with the relevant experience from a variety of interests involved in the decision making process.  It would ensure that a nonpartisan advisory panel, which is responsible for the management, protection and control of wild horses and burros on western public rangeland, would be composed of individuals who best serve the interest of all local, state and federal interests.

Lummis Amendment #5 – Permanent Range Designation (Failed 14-20. View Roll Call Vote)
This amendment would ensure wild horses and burros live on federal lands by preventing the Act from expanding to include private and other lands, which would make it difficult and expensive for the BLM to control.

* For complete legislative action for the April 29, 2009 Full Committee Markup, click here.