The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would lose $2 million in funding if an amendment introduced and sponsored by U.S. Representative Dan Burton (Ind.) earlier this week is approved. Burton presented the funding cut as an amendment to an omnibus spending bill, and House members approved the amendment by voice vote Feb. 16.

According to BLM estimates, more than 38,000 wild horses and burros reside on agency-managed rangelands in 10 Western states. Another 40,000 animals culled from ranges during scheduled roundups reside in short- and long-term holding facilities. During fiscal year 2010, the BLM had a budget of $63.9 million. Of that, $36.9 million was used to maintain animal holding facilities. The Obama administration has requested the BLM receive $75.5 million in funding in fiscal 2011.

In presenting the amendment, Burton characterized the agency's gather and holding policies as inhumane, costly, and ineffective at managing wild herds. He said the funding reduction set forth in the amendment represents a protest against those policies.

"It is just a drop in the bucket when you are talking about this overall cost problem we're facing," Burton said. "But it is one that I hope will send a very strong message to the Bureau of Land Management, to treat mustangs in a humane way and to solve this problem in a way that is acceptable to the Congress of the United States and the people of this country