Mace Introduces Bill to Employ Veterans and Protect Wild Horses
The Veterans for Mustangs Act boosts job opportunities for former service members and promotes humane, cost-saving management of America’s wild horse populations.
(Washington, D.C., April 12, 2025) — Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) introduced the Veterans for Mustangs Act, a bill to rein in wild horse and burro overpopulation using humane, non-surgical fertility controls—while giving U.S. military veterans a new mission.
“Washington’s answer has been to chase down wild horses with helicopters and dump them in government pens—all on the taxpayer’s dime,” said Rep. Mace. “We can do better. Our bill puts common sense and compassion first, giving veterans the opportunity to serve again—this time on the range.”
Right now, the Bureau of Land Management spends tens of millions each year rounding up horses, only to warehouse over 50,000 in long-term holding pens. These operations are not just expensive—they’re brutal. Helicopter roundups injure animals, cause unnecessary stress, and sometimes kill them.
The Veterans for Mustangs Act tells the Secretary of the Interior to prioritize humane, on-range fertility control methods and bring in trained U.S. veterans to manage wild horse populations. This approach saves money, protects animals, and gives veterans a meaningful new role—all without taking tools away from land managers.
The bill has earned bipartisan support, with cosponsors including Reps. Mike Lawler, Dina Titus, Josh Gottheimer, Barry Moore, John Moolenaar, Doug LaMalfa, Buddy Carter, Joe Neguse, Derek Tran, Jason Crow, Ted Lieu, Maria Elvira Salazar, Seth Magaziner, and Steve Cohen.
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