WASHINGTON, May 29, 2025–Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-9), Dina Titus (NV-01) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) today re-introduced the Horse Transportation Safety Act (HTSA), which would ban the transportation of horses across state lines in “double-deck” trucks or trailers containing two or more levels on top of one another.

Congressman Cohen, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, in 2022 applauded the inclusion of the Horse Transportation Safety Act in the House-passed INVEST in America Act. That was the same year the Humane Society of the United States named him its “Humane Horseman of the Year.”

Congressman Cohen has championed the measure since 2008. This year’s version of the bill currently has 17 bipartisan cosponsors.

Sounding off on double-deckers

Congressman Cohen made the following statement: “Horses deserve to be transported in as humane a manner as possible. Double-deck trailers do not provide adequate headroom for adult horses, and accidents involving double-deck trailers are a terrifying reminder that the practice is also dangerous to the driving public.

“I look forward to seeing this measure move forward as it did last year and be signed into law. Transporting horses can be precarious even under the best circumstances, and we should not compound the risks with unsafe double-deck trailers.”

Congresswoman Titus concurred, noting, “The harmful transport of horses in double-deck trailers cannot provide proper headroom and makes accidents worse. Whether roaming free or being transported on highways, horses must be treated humanely, and I’m proud to help introduce this commonsense legislation to make certain of that.”

As Congressman Fitzpatrick commented, “Transporting horses in stacked double-deck trailers isn’t just inhumane—it’s dangerous. These trailers were never designed for animals of this size, and using them puts both horses and drivers at serious risk.

“As co-chair of the Animal Protection Caucus, I’ve been working across the aisle to close this loophole and advance commonsense reforms that protect animals and improve public safety. This bill is long overdue—and it’s time to get it across the finish line.” 

The bill is also cosponsored by Representatives Don Beyer, Julia Brownley, Salud Carbajal, Sean Casten, Suzan DelBene, Lloyd Doggett, Sara Jacobs, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Stephen Lynch, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mike Quigley, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jan Schakowsky, Greg Stanton, Shri Thanedar and Jill Tokuda. 

AWI, conservation group weigh in

“The Horse Transportation Safety Act is a common-sense solution that would promote public safety and animal welfare by ensuring that horses are not crammed into double-deck livestock trailers that are designed for much shorter animals,” said Joanna Grossman, Ph.D., equine program director for the Animal Welfare Institute.

“HTSA provisions have twice passed the full House of Representatives in recent years—a testament to the strong bipartisan support for protecting horses from unsafe transport conditions. It’s time to enact these critical reforms, and we are grateful to Congressman Cohen, Congressman Fitzpatrick and Congresswoman Titus for their unwavering leadership.”

Neda DeMayo, founder and president of Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation, made the following statement: “We are pleased to support the bipartisan Horse Transportation Safety Act, reintroduced by Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Dina Titus (D-NV). The bill would prohibit interstate transportation of horses in a motor vehicle containing two or more levels stacked on top of one another, commonly known as a double-decker, a practice already prohibited for hauling horses to slaughter for being too cruel.

“As we continue to pursue federal legislation to end the slaughter of America’s wild and domestic horses, we must do all that we can to ensure they are protected from any cruel and unnecessary practices.”

ASPCA, AVMA statements

“The ASPCA applauds Representative Cohen’s commitment to protecting the equines in this country, and his longstanding leadership on animal welfare issues,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. “We are thrilled to see Congress taking important steps to keep animals safe.”

“The AVMA-endorsed Horse Transportation Safety Act is critical to ensuring horse welfare and public safety,” said Dr. Sandra Faeh, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “Transporting horses in double-deck trailers does not provide them with the proper level of comfort needed during long road trips over state lines and poses an elevated threat to traffic safety, as these trailers packed with large animals are at greater risk of tipping over.

“We look forward to working with the congressional champions and other stakeholders to advance this legislation and urge Congress to pass the Horse Transportation Safety Act.”