H.R. 1661 · 119th Congress

Bans slaughtering horses and other equines for human food

Official title: SAFE Act of 20251

Never got a floor voteAnimal welfare laws

§1What it does

Why this matters: A plain-English description of the bill as it was voted on, written by us from the official summary and text.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

This bill would permanently ban slaughtering horses, mules and other equines for human consumption, as federal law already does for dogs and cats.2,3 It would also bar knowingly shipping, transporting, possessing, buying, selling or donating equines or equine parts for that purpose, with violators subject to fines.2,3 The ban would not apply to activities carried out by a Native American for a religious ceremony.2,3

§2Status

StatusLatest action, March 28, 2025: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.1
IntroducedFebruary 27, 2025
SponsorRep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]
Cosponsors238 cosponsors (199 Democratic, 39 Republican)
Official recordH.R. 1661 on Congress.gov

§3It never got a vote

Why this matters: This bill had wide support from both parties, but it never reached the House or Senate floor, so no member of Congress was ever recorded voting for or against it.

Latest action, March 28, 2025: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.1 How bills die without a vote.

2026 candidates who sponsored or cosponsored it (202)