• 0Shopping Cart
American Horse Council
  • About Us
    • Leadership
      • Board Of Trustees
      • Governance
      • Staff
      • AHC Committees
    • Membership
      • FAQ’s
      • Become A Member
      • Sponsors
      • AHC Discount Programs
    • Annual Reports
    • Employment Opportunities
    • AHC Internships
  • Issues
    • Legislation
    • Regulations
    • Take Action
      • Congressional Scorecard
  • ELECTION CENTER
    • Get Involved
    • Vote Early!
    • Congressional Scorecard
    • Political Action Committee
    • Legislative Process and How A Law is Enacted
  • AHC Programs
    • AHC Foundation
    • United Horse Coalition
    • Marketing Alliance
    • Equine Disease Communication Center
    • American Horse Council Microchip Look-Up
    • Coalition of State Horse Council
    • DEI – Diversity Equity Inclusion
    • Equine Industry Executive Forum
  • Member Portal
  • Resources
    • ANNUAL CONFERENCE
      • AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL 2023 CONFERENCE
      • AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL 2022 CONFERENCE
      • AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL 2021 CONFERENCE
      • AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL 2020 CONFERENCE
    • Horse Industry Directory
    • Webinars
    • Publications
    • Library and Resources
    • Economics
    • Tax Bulletins For Members
    • 2023 Economic Impact Study
    • Safe Sport
    • National Welfare Code
    • ELD, CDL and Transport Issues
    • Youth Resources
    • National Trails Directory
  • News
  • Calendar
  • CONTACT
    • Submit a question
    • Leave a comment or suggestion
  • Join
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • About Us
    • Leadership
      • Board Of Trustees
      • Governance
      • Staff
      • AHC Committees
    • Membership
      • FAQ’s
      • Become A Member
      • Sponsors
      • AHC Discount Programs
    • Annual Reports
    • Employment Opportunities
    • AHC Internships
  • Issues
    • Legislation
    • Regulations
    • Take Action
      • Congressional Scorecard
  • ELECTION CENTER
    • Get Involved
    • Vote Early!
    • Congressional Scorecard
    • Political Action Committee
    • Legislative Process and How A Law is Enacted
  • AHC Programs
    • AHC Foundation
    • United Horse Coalition
    • Marketing Alliance
    • Equine Disease Communication Center
    • American Horse Council Microchip Look-Up
    • Coalition of State Horse Council
    • DEI – Diversity Equity Inclusion
    • Equine Industry Executive Forum
  • Member Portal
  • Resources
    • ANNUAL CONFERENCE
      • AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL 2023 CONFERENCE
      • AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL 2022 CONFERENCE
      • AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL 2021 CONFERENCE
      • AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL 2020 CONFERENCE
    • Horse Industry Directory
    • Webinars
    • Publications
    • Library and Resources
    • Economics
    • Tax Bulletins For Members
    • 2023 Economic Impact Study
    • Safe Sport
    • National Welfare Code
    • ELD, CDL and Transport Issues
    • Youth Resources
    • National Trails Directory
  • News
  • Calendar
  • CONTACT
    • Submit a question
    • Leave a comment or suggestion
  • Join
  • ACTION ALERT- Support for H-2B Program is Needed Now!

ACTION ALERT- SUPPORT FOR H-2B PROGRAM IS NEEDED NOW!

Congress will need to take action on all fiscal year 2016 appropriations bills before current funding expires December 11, 2015. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) appropriations bills, include important and helpful language that will make the H-2B program easier for employers to use. However, there is no guarantee this language will be included in the 2016 appropriations package or “Omnibus bill” that is being negotiated now and action is need immediately.

The H-2B program is used by members of the horse industry, principally horse trainers and owners who cannot find American workers to fill semi-skilled jobs as grooms, exercise riders, and stable attendants at racetracks, horse shows, fairs and in similar non-agricultural activities.

If you, your business or members of your organization rely on H-2B workers, please contact your Senators to express support for the H-2B appropriations language that is included in the DOL and DHS appropriations bills. Urge them to sign the H-2B letter being circulated by Senators Tillis (R-NC) and Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Boustany (R-LA) that asks the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to include all of the beneficial H-2B provisions from both the House and Senate DHS and DOL bills in any final appropriations bill.

You can reach your members of Congress through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121. Once connected to your Senators’ or Representative’s office, ask to speak to the staff person who handles Department of Labor and Department Homeland Security appropriations.

Call them today and tell them;

    • You support and rely on the H-2B Program.
    • You support the H-2B language in the DOL and DHS appropriations bill.
    • Please sign the H-2B letter that is being circulated by Senators Tillis (R-NC) and Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Boustany (R-LA).
    • THE DEADLINE FOR SIGNING IS NOON ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6. This letter asks the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to include all of the beneficial H-2B provisions from the House and Senate Departments of Homeland Security and Labor Appropriations bills

.

  • Horse farms, trainers, horseshows, and others in the horse industry are often unable able to find Americans who are willing and able to take jobs as grooms, and stable attendants.
  • Despite substantial efforts to recruit American workers the industry has been forced to rely on foreign workers and the H-2B temporary worker program to meet their labor needs.
  • The H-2B language in the DOL and DHS appropriations bills will help ensure the H-2B program is available to the horse industry and other small and seasonal businesses.

You can also use the contact form on your representatives website, and copy and paste the following message:

Dear Senator:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) FY2016 appropriations bills include important language concerning the H-2B non-agriculture temporary worker program. I urge you to sign the letter being circulated by Senators Tillis (R-NC) and Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Boustany (R-LA), asking the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to include all of the beneficial H-2B provisions from both the House and Senate DHS and DOL appropriations bills in any final omnibus appropriations bill.

The H-2B program is used by members of the horse industry, principally horse trainers and owners who cannot find American workers to fill semi-skilled jobs as grooms, exercise riders, and stable attendants at racetracks, horse shows, fairs and in similar non-agricultural activities.

The racing and showing segments of the industry are particularly dependent on the use of foreign workers. The horse racing industry has a $26.1 billion economic impact and supports 380,826 jobs. The horse show industry has a $28.7 billion economic impact and supports 380,416 jobs. The workers provided by the H-2B program are a small portion of horse industry workers, however they play a vital role within the industry.

Most H-2B workers in the industry are directly responsible for the care of the horses upon which the entire horse industry is dependent. Without these workers to care for the industry’s horses, many American jobs provided by and supported by the horse industry could be in jeopardy.

However, on April 29, 2015, the DHS and DOL issued a final interim H-2B program rule and a final wage rule that have made the H-2B program significantly more costly and burdensome to use.

The H-2B provisions in the House and Senate DHS and DOL appropriations bills would make several important reforms to the H-2B program and roll back some of the most burdensome provisions of the 2015 H-2B rule. Please support the horse industry and sign the H-2B letter being circulated by Senators Tillis (R-NC) and Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Boustany (R-LA). The deadline for signing is noon on Friday, November 6.

If you are unsure as to who your representative is, please visit the Find Your Representative page on the House website.

If you have any questions please contact the AHC.

  • Recent Posts

    • AHC Annual Award Nominations are now open!
    • Ovation Protégé Helmet Recall Notice
    • 2023 – Call for Horse Industry Directory Listings
    • Hay Shortages, Prices & Spoilage putting strain on Horse Owners wallets
    • It’s the most wonderful time of the Year. To Give the gift of securing your horse passion this holiday season!
  • Archives

  • The American Horse Council is a Guidestar Silver Participant

    The AHC believes that the more opportunities available to use horses in various activities, the better the overall health of the industry and those who participate.


    1775 Tysons Blvd
    5th Floor
    Suite 6110
    McLean VA, 22102
    General Phone: 202.296.4031
    E-Mail: info@horsecouncil.org

    About Us

    • Membership
    • Board Of Trustees
    • AHC Internships
    • AHC Programs
    • AHC Membership Directory
    • Annual Reports

    Issues

    • Legislation
    • Regulations
    • Take Action

    Resources

    • Webinars
    • Publications
    • ELD, CDL and Transport Issues
    • Library and Resources
    • National Welfare Code
    • Economics
    • National Equine Health Plan
    • Safe Sports

    NEWS

    • Washington Updates
    • Press Releases
    • Archives
    • Calendar
    • Contact Us

    © Copyright - American Horse Council
    Scroll to top

    Lynda is the membership and communications specialist for the American Horse Council. Lynda grew up in Pasadena, Maryland with a passion for horses. She relocated to San Diego, California, where her dream of owning and riding horses came true. Lynda has worked with several law enforcement mounted units and has participated in several national and international horse associations.

    Lynda believes horses play a major role in our society from therapy horses helping children learn to walk again, to helping military veterans and emergency service personnel learn to cope with stress, to keeping our parks and cities safe through law enforcement mounted units. Along with our equine partners assisting in burial services at Arlington National Cemetery. Horses impact our lives in ways others cannot.

    Lynda believes the horse industry as a whole needs to have a voice and working at the American Horse Council is a way for her to help and keep the industry alive and informed.

    Interested in a Free Microchip for your Horse?

    The United Horse Coalition is offering up to 5 free microchips (while supplies last). Click below for more info on how to get your free chip.

    Click here for more info (don’t worry, we made it easy!)
    Login to your Dashboard
    Lost your password?
    • Lost your password?

    Cliff Williamson is the Director of Health and Regulatory Affairs for the American Horse Council based in Washington D.C.

    He grew up in Reva, VA on his family’s horse farm, participating in both horse and livestock 4-H activities. In 2008 he graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Animal Science, where he was an active member of both the animal science club Block & Bridle as well as the agricultural fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho. After graduation he spent 27 months in Nicaragua with the Peace Corps for their Food Security Program. Upon his return to the United States he spent four years in the animal export industry as the Director of Animal Logistics for T.K. Exports, Inc. In that time he was honored to be appointed to a seat on the Board of Directors for the Culpeper chapter of the Farm Bureau Federation.

    For information regarding any equine health issues, welfare issues, and state, federal and international requirements regarding the movement of horses, please contact Cliff. 

    cwilliamson@horsecouncil.org

    Bryan Brendle is the Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs for the AHC.

    For information regarding public policy, government relations and advocacy, please contact Bryan.

    bbrendle@horsecouncil.org

    With over 30 years of leadership experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors, Julie holds a BS, MBA, Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership  and is Certified Association Executive®. She’s a life-long horse enthusiast ranging from recreational rider, breeder, and show competitor. A native of NC, she and her husband now reside in DC along with their Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Morgan horses.

    In her down time she enjoys volunteering (she’s president of the board of PATH International), horseback riding, gardening and cooking. “I’m passionate about the equine industry because horses have enhanced my life and well-being so profoundly,” said Julie. “Working at the AHC is a way to give back to the equine community and ensure the long term health of the industry.”

    jbroadway@horsecouncil.org

    X