Experience: Senator McConnell is serving his fifth term and is the Minority Leader of the Senate. He is up for re-election in 2014.
Key Committee: Senator McConnell is a member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. This Committee is referred all proposed legislation relating to subjects such as agricultural economics and research, animal industry and disease, and farm credit and farm security.
Impact on horse racing and breeding industry: Senator McConnell understands horse racing and breeding and is influential as the Republican Leader in Congress. He introduced legislation in 2005 to promote investment in the horse industry. Known as the Equine Equity Act (EEA), the bill included an accelerated three-year depreciation schedule for young racehorses.
The EEA eventually became part of the broader Farm Bill that passed in 2008 and became effective in 2009. The EEA expired when the prior Farm Bill expired at the end of 2013.