WASHINGTON, DC—DECEMBER 27, 2020—President Donald Trump signed a bill to provide government funding and pandemic aid, removing a threat of a partial government shutdown that would have started Dec. 29 after a temporary spending law expired.

Included in the $2.3 trillion package is the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act, a piece of legislation that will overhaul oversight of racing's drug and medication rules and its equine drug testing.

The Senate advanced the HISA last week after the legislation had already passed in the House of Representatives. The House action followed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican, Kentucky) voicing his support for the legislation—with some tweaks to the previous House bill.

Bipartisan legislation in the House was led by Andy Barr (Republican, Kentucky) and Rep. Paul Tonko (Democrat, New York), noting the state-to-state approach in regulating medication and drug testing has lacked uniformity, relied too much on post-race testing, and active participants with close ties to the sport's participating in making decisions from roles on regulatory boards.

Yet to be determined is the funding for the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act.