Ciscomani Introduces Bill to Protect Wild Horses in the West

Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) is introducing legislation that advocates for the humane treatment of the few remaining herds of wild horses and burros still roaming the American West.

As we covered last May, Rep. Ciscomani helped write a bipartisan letter urging against the use of helicopters to chase down wild horse and burro populations and then holding the surviving animals in pens if they are not adopted or sold.

In addition to banning the use of helicopters to chase down these animals, not only because it is cruel but also due to its cost, Rep. Ciscomani's Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2025 urges the use of more humane methods to maintain stable populations, including fertility control.

"For too long, wild horses and burros have been subjected to dangerous, cruel and costly roundups that often result in the death of the animal," the Arizona Congressman said in his press release, adding, "As an Arizonan and co-chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus, I'm proud to support this common sense, bipartisan legislation that would eliminate the use of helicopters during Bureau of Land Management roundups and encourage more humane and cost-effective alternatives to manage these iconic animals."

Representative Dina Titus (D-NV), one of the bill's cosponsors, said, "Nevada is home to more wild horses than any other state in our country. Tragically, these animals are subjected to taxpayer-funded helicopter roundups and removals that are all too often costly, ineffective, and inhumane."

"My legislation would eliminate the use of helicopters in BLM wild horse gathers and require a report to explore the benefits of alternative methods for humanely gathering horses and the workforce opportunities for traditional cowboys. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan proposal that would protect these icons of the American West, which remain a source of pride for Nevada residents," Rep. Titus added.

Finally, Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) stated, "As one of the founding co-Chairs of the Wild Horse and Burro Caucus, I'm pleased to co-lead the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act to improve accountability and transparency of how these icons of the West are managed by the Bureau of Land Management."