FEATURED LEGISLATOR: U.S. Representative John Yarmuth (D-KY)

District: Kentucky’s 3rd in north central Kentucky – home to the city of Louisville, Churchill Downs racetrack and Churchill Downs, Inc. headquarters.

Status: Up for re-election in 2012.

Experience: Rep. Yarmuth is serving his third consecutive term in the U.S. House of Representatives and was first elected in November 2006. His professional background also includes positions in media, policy, business, higher education and health care.

Key Committee: Rep. Yarmuth serves on the Budget Committee. This committee handles broad questions about federal spending and taxation.

Impact on horse racing industry: Rep. Yarmuth has been a leader in Congress for the horse racing industry. He introduced bipartisan legislation which would bring parity to the withholding requirements on winning pari-mutuel wagers. This legislation, known as the Pari-mutuel Conformity and Equality Act would insure that horseplayers are treated equally as compared to other forms of gaming. It would put more money back in the hands of horseplayers, leading to higher handle.