Constitutional? Report analyzes federal medication bill

Posted: Nov. 14, 2016

In the coming weeks and months, the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association will be presenting its views on the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 and efforts within the industry to seek federal regulation of medication in racing.

Aside from numerous objections and concerns, the THA’s initial reaction to the bill, and subsequent analysis, was that the legislation, also called the Barr-Tonko bill, is unconstitutional. There are a number of constitutional issues raised in the legislation, one of which is the subject of a report by the Congressional Research Service.

The CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress to provide policy and legal analysis to committees and members of both the House of Representatives and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. The CRS is non-partisan and its reports are highly respected.

Here is the CRS analysis on the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act.