Congresswoman Kat Cammack Introduces Bipartisan TIME Act to Modernize International Movement of Competition Horses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) introduced H.R. 10611, the Temporary International Movement of Equines (TIME) Act of 2026. The bipartisan bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modernize the rules governing the temporary entry of international competition horses and racehorses. It would establish a science-based framework aligned with internationally recognized standards while keeping strong safeguards in place for the domestic equine population.

"Marion County is the Horse Capital of the World, and the best horses on the planet should be able to come here and compete without getting tangled up in red tape,” said Congresswoman Cammack. "The TIME Act brings our rules in line with proven international standards and keeps strong protections in place for the horses already here. I'm proud to partner with Congressman Tonko on this bill and to keep working with the American Horse Council to get it across the finish line."

"Aligning with international safety standards benefits fans, athletes, economies, and the sport as a whole, which is what drove me to introduce the TIME Act," said Congressman Tonko. "This bill prioritizes equine health and safety while pushing venues like my district's own Saratoga Racetrack and its athletes further onto the international stage. I thank Congresswoman Cammack for joining me to champion this bill and urge my colleagues to join us in this effort."

As the United States prepares to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and a growing slate of international equestrian and racing events, current import requirements can create obstacles for horses traveling here temporarily to compete. Today's top equine athletes already travel under rigorous health, identification, and biosecurity protocols. Florida is a leading hub for global equestrian sport and Thoroughbred activity, and Marion County's thoroughbred breeding and training industry is a major economic driver for North Central Florida.

The TIME Act is based on the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) High Health, High Performance (HHP) framework for the temporary international movement of elite competition horses. The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) has formally urged USDA to recognize HHP horses as a distinct subpopulation and to use the WOAH framework to implement the concept in the United States. The House Appropriations Committee also included report language in its FY2027 Agriculture Appropriations bill encouraging USDA to explore approaches consistent with the HHP framework.

Specifically, the TIME Act would:

• Direct USDA to establish regulations governing the temporary international movement of high-health, high-performance horses.
• Implement a risk-based system incorporating identification, traceability, and biosecurity measures.
• Provide expedited entry procedures and modified quarantine protocols consistent with international best practices.
• Improve the efficiency of USDA animal health oversight by reducing duplicative requirements and allowing agency personnel to focus resources on higher-risk disease concerns.
   

The TIME Act is supported by the American Horse Council, which represents more than 1.6 million horse owners across all 50 states, as well as the U.S. Equestrian Federation, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, The Jockey Club, and the Breeders' Cup.

"We applaud Representatives Tonko and Cammack for their bipartisan leadership in advancing the TIME Act. Their willingness to listen to the equine community and champion this issue marks an important step toward ensuring the United States remains a leading destination for international equine competition for years to come," said Julie Broadway, President of the American Horse Council.

"The Breeders' Cup World Championships are built on bringing together the best horses and their connections from around the globe, and efficient international movement is essential to making that possible. The world's elite horses are also among the most rigorously tested, health-certified, and examined equine athletes, with extensive veterinary oversight surrounding their international movement and participation. We support the TIME Act's effort to modernize the process for high-performance horses while maintaining rigorous protections for equine health and biosecurity. A science-based framework that reflects the realities of international competition will help strengthen the United States' position as a destination for world-class racing and other equestrian sports," said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited.

"The US Equestrian Federation looks forward to working collaboratively with the USDA to improve policies for international movement of high-performance horses. In our capacity as a national governing body via the Ted Stevens Act, we recognize the complexities that come with temporary international travel overseas and similar challenges for competitors from other countries. The United States has become one of the largest international competition hosts in the world. Our goal is to keep all horse populations safe and healthy, and the proposed joint partnership between government and private resources is a big step in the right direction," said David O'Connor, Olympic medalist and US Equestrian Chief of Sport.

"Modernizing these requirements means a reduction in quarantine time and post-arrival restrictions for the temporary entry of competition and racehorses that are already among the healthiest and most closely monitored in the world. That's a win for equine welfare and for the health of horses," said Dr. Sarah Reuss, President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

"The TIME Act recognizes that modern identification, traceability, and biosecurity tools can support both horse welfare and international competition. By creating a framework for the temporary movement of high health, high performance horses, this legislation would reduce unnecessary barriers to international participation in U.S. racing while maintaining rigorous animal health safeguards. As the United States prepares to host some of the world's premier racing and equestrian events, a science-based approach to equine movement helps ensure our entire equine industry remains competitive on the global stage while protecting the health and welfare of horses," said Kristin Werner, Vice President of Thoroughbred Strategy & Industry Initiatives at The Jockey Club.

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