Online Gambling Bill Hits Hurdle in U.S. Congress

27-09-06

The congressional passage of the bill to ban most forms of Internet gambling came to a further standstill this week, as strong opposition halted attempts to tag the bill onto must-pass bills.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner, a Virginia Republican, strongly objected to attaching any unrelated legislation to a pending defence bill, which had been viewed by supporters of the Internet gambling bill as one of their best chances of success.

In a letter to Senate Majority leader Bill Frist, Warner declared, 'I have firmly opposed putting any (unrelated) bills in the conference report,” referring to senators’ attempts to add at least nine unrelated items to the defence bill.

Aides now suggest that Republican backers are now exploring other ways to pass the bill before lawmakers recess at the end of this week to campaign for the elections on November 7. It is believed that Mr Frist and other proponents are looking at the pending measure to bolster port security against potential terrorist attacks, as a new method of success.

'He wants to get it done,' one aide said. 'We are still working things out. Everyone is still talking.'
Democrats have criticised the Republican-backed measure as an election-year appeal to the party's conservative base, particularly the religious right.


http://www.igamingbusiness.com/article-detail.php?articleID=11624

From years ago I have a few acquintances who could be at least loosely be classified as members of the "religeous right."

One guy I met in Tennessee 4 years back would attend his autumn early morning Sunday service rather than the later one. That way he was home early enough to do some late minute capping. Not a big gambler at all but loved his Vols and Titans and got down $50 a game. I've discussed this with him. Absolutely nothing clear cut one way or the other in the Bible re: gambling.

Strange part of the country in those hills. Remember years ago the women would attend services while the men would sometimes gather outside to discuss their blockade running. A strong distaste of government intrusion into one's affairs still remains strong amongst the oldtimers at least.

Frist has committed political suicide on a national scale. Simply put an idiot.uppy:

Its not about morals. Its about dollars and votes which is all that matters to the government

Thanks for the update, Dante. In any case, it appears a foregone conclusion that the session will end Friday. That means Frist has two more days to get this done before the lame duck session in November. At least we will be able to catch our breath. This has been one wild ride...ups and downs.

Guys thanks for keeping this topic going. Its actually better for everyone to believe there is still hope that Frist gets this through this week. We can't stress enough the importance of all of you staying active and vocal. We at NROG are learning a tough lesson in non-profit work. Even though our info is correct, has been correct and will come out being correct...we're new so we need to build trust. We'll be teh first ones that are slapped for being wrong and the last ones who are thanked for being right. Hopfully when this week ends and the DoD bill is clean you'll all realize we will not release information to you that we do not feel is 100% accurate.

Thanks for all of those who continue to support us and otehr groups lobbying Congress.

JayB
NROG
www.saveonlinegaming.com

Fine, the DOD bill is clean but he is still trying to get it attached to other items this week.

FYI, It ain't over yet for this week, NROG.

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Frist looking to attach Internet Gambling Bill before Congress adjourns
written September 27, 2007

Senator Frist failed again to attach an Internet gambling bill to a defense bill today. However, Republicans are looking for other avenues to ban online gambling before Congress adjourns for the November 7 elections.

An aide told Reuters today, "Frist wants to get it done...We are still working things out. Everyone is still talking."

A senior Democratic aide was quoted by cnetnews.com as saying, "I wouldn't pronounce it dead yet."

The proposed bill would make most forms of online gambling illegal and prohibit banks and credit card companies to provide funds to gambling sites.

Backers of the Internet gambling bill say that legislation is badly needed to emphasize that the 1961 federal law banning telephone betting is also a measure against a variety of online gambling such as horse and dog-racing interests.

Aides say that Frist along with other supporters are planning to tag it to other provisions such as tightening port security against threats of terrorism.

Given the fact that time is running out, we can only hope that level heads prevailin the Senate. This isn't really about right or wrong, or helping any Americans out.

More indication it's not over yet for this week. NROG do you keep up with the news by any chance? Or just look at the DOD bill?
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As the Congress moves into the last portion of the final week of work before departing for elections, the internet gambling legislation is still being battled over.

It is clear that both the House and Senate will be working late into Friday or more likely Saturday to complete must pass legislation.

Senate Majority Leader Frist continues to use his position to pursue all options for adding the internet gambling language to these bills.

Options are still:
Department of Defense Authorization Conference Report
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report
Legislation dealing with Port Security
Legislation dealing with detainment of foreign non-combatants

Perhaps others (brain not 100% at the moment)

Senator Frist has ran into some heavy resistance from key Senators on the DoD Authorization bill, but House Speaker Hastert is also attempting to add extraneous measures to either DoD Authorization or the Homeland Security Appropriations measure.

At this point, it remains difficult to say what the odds are of attaching the IG language to one of these vehicles or another before they break for the elections.

One thing is certain ---Frist will continue trying, even if it requires efforts in the "lame duck" session after the elections.