Welcome to What’s Racing Through Washington newsletter, your one stop shop for all things Thoroughbred racing in Washington, D.C. As Congress heats up this summer, it is increasingly important to understand the latest policy developments and potential impacts to our industry. We hope you will enjoy the newsletter and we look forward to engaging with you more on issues impacting the Thoroughbred industry.

Tom Rooney with wife (Tara) at the Preakness Stakes

Tom Rooney Calls for Unity in the Industry and Emphasizes HISA as Best Path Forward

NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney issued a statement calling for unity in the industry. The full statement is below:

“As members of the Thoroughbred racing community, it is vital that we come together and prioritize unity for the betterment of our sport. In these challenging times, we must rally around the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) to ensure the highest standards of integrity and safety are upheld. By uniting our efforts, we can protect the welfare of our equine athletes and maintain the trust of fans and stakeholders alike. Let us set aside our differences and work collaboratively towards a brighter, safer future for Thoroughbred racing under the guidance of HISA.”

Tom Rooney with Senator Todd Young (R-IN)

GOP Tax Bill Benefiting the Equine Industry Heads for a Summer Vote

Following the successful passage of tax legislation out of the House Ways and Means Committee, which includes the restoration of a 100% bonus depreciation, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) will now shift its focus towards broader education efforts. The objective is to ensure the bill’s smooth passage when it comes up for a vote on the House floor. Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) and House GOP leaders are likely to prioritize moving the bill to the floor sometime in July, following their return from a two-week recess.

In recent weeks, the NTRA has been engaging in productive meetings with various House members’ offices. The aim is to ensure a clear understanding of the crucial role of bonus depreciation for the equine economy and the importance of providing 100% certainty, which in turn encourages robust business investment within districts and states. It is essential to continue to advocate in the coming weeks, especially with newly-elected members who were not part of Congress during the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Tom Rooney with wife (Tara) at the Belmont Stakes

NTRA Sends Letter in Support of H-2B Cap Relief in the DHS Appropriations Bill

The House Appropriations Committee released the draft Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, May 18. Notably, Subcommittee Chairman Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Henry Cuellar (D-TX) included an exemption for the H-2B returning worker cap in the draft bill. The subcommittee approved the bill without any amendments, and it now proceeds to the full committee for further consideration.

While we are delighted that the bill contains a provision for a returning worker exemption, we anticipate that there may be attempts to remove this language during the full Appropriations committee’s discussion, scheduled for today, June 21. The NTRA remains committed to advocating for the inclusion of this exemption in any future Appropriations bill. To demonstrate our support, the NTRA and our coalition partners in the H-2B Coalition have jointly sent a letter expressing our endorsement of the H-2B returning worker exemption to Subcommittee Chairman Joyce and Ranking Member Cueller.

Read the letter HERE.

North Caroline Governor Signs Sports and Horse Racing Betting Law

The NTRA is pleased to note the recent legalization of mobile sports betting in North Carolina. On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, the NC State Senate voted in favor of a bill that permits mobile sports betting in the state, with a decisive vote of 38-11. This legislation had previously been approved by the NC State House in March. However, a notable change in the Senate bill was the inclusion of provisions for wagering on horse racing, which had been omitted in the House version. Governor Roy Cooper (D) officially legalized sports betting and horse racing on June 14, 2023, by signing the bill into law.

Although betting may potentially commence as early as January, the Lottery Commission holds the discretion to postpone the start of operations, as long as they commence within 12 months from the bill’s enactment.