Four Senators sent a letter on Monday to Lina Khan, the Chair of the Federal Trading Commission (FTC) and Lisa Lazarus, the President and CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, referred to as the “Authority”, putting both agencies on notice. The Senators questioned the Authorities ability to meet the statutorily mandated deadline set forth in the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) passed by Congress in 2020 and due to be implemented July 1, 2022. They also questioned the FTC’s ability to effectively provide oversite of the Authority and ensure it complies with HISA.
The Senators, Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and John Kennedy (R-MS), specifically referenced the delay in the Anti-doping and Medication program not scheduled to be implemented until Jan. 1, 2023. Also, the recently announced delay of the horseshoe and part of the whip rule now schedule to begin on August 1, 2022.
The letter points out that under the HISA law the Authority does not have the authority to arbitrarily change any implementation dates. The dates can only be changed by a Congressional Act.
Also included in the letter are six questions and requests from the Senators including if the Authority would like dates changed and requesting specific dates.
Here is the complete letter.
