Congressman Cohen Applauds Advancement of PAST Act

Press Release

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), who has championed efforts to protect horses for decades, today applauded the Energy and Commerce Committee's markup and advancement of his Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act to prohibit the intentional injury to the hooves and legs of performance walking horses such as Tennessee's iconic walking horses. His bill passed out of the committee markup and was reported to the full House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 46 to 9.

Congressman Cohen, a longtime member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, who received the Humane Society of the United States' "Humane Horseman of the Year" award in June and the 2021 Humane Champion award, made the following statement:

"The practice of soring horses, which is the intentional infliction of pain on horses' feet and legs using caustic chemicals, chains, weighted shoes, cutting, and other torturous techniques to force them to perform a painful, artificially high-stepping gait known as the "Big Lick,' is completely unacceptable, inhumane and unsportsmanlike.

"The practice has marred the Tennessee Walking Horse and related breeds for more than 60 years. I was proud to reintroduce the PAST Act last October to finally eradicate this indefensible practice and treat horses humanely." 

"Today's strong 46-9 vote for the PAST Act shows that there is a bipartisan pathway forward to finally end the cruel practice of soring horses. Ending this cruelty is long overdue," said Sara Amundson, president of Humane Society Legislative Fund. "We are grateful to Representative Cohen for his tremendous leadership to save horses from this brutal treatment. And we call on the House to pass the bill now."

Source