James Comer U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 1st district | Official U.S. House Headshot
James Comer U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 1st district | Official U.S. House Headshot
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer has issued a subpoena to Dr. Aaron Rhyner, Assistant Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This action is part of an investigation into the USDA's enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and related amendments.
Chairman Comer stated that the Committee had requested documents from the USDA on August 9, 2024, including information about horse shows attended by APHIS inspectors and communications related to HPA enforcement. However, the USDA did not respond by the August 23 deadline or acknowledge receipt until weeks later.
The Committee received allegations that Dr. Rhyner sent an email with new inspection requirements just two hours before a competition without prior notification. Chairman Comer launched an investigation on August 9, 2024, and requested a transcribed interview with Dr. Rhyner on October 8, 2024. The USDA has not complied with these requests.
Chairman Comer expressed concerns over "the transparency and accountability of USDA’s operations" regarding HPA enforcement. He emphasized that "it has now been over four weeks since the Committee’s initial request for the transcribed interview," leading to the issuance of a subpoena for Dr. Rhyner to appear before the Committee on December 9, 2024.
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