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Bill to Block UIGEA Implementation Gains More Sponsors

by PokerPages.com
Mon, May 26th, 2008 @ 12:00am

Last week Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Steven Rothman (D-NJ) added their signatures to the 5 sponsors added the prior week to HR 5767, the legislation to block implementation of the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) which made it illegal for financial institutions to handle transactions between US residents and online poker and gaming operators.

HR 5767 was introduced April 10, 2008 to the US House of Representatives by Congressmen Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX), and quickly gained 10 signatures.

All seven of these new cosponsors also signed HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (IGREA) Frank introduced April 26, 2007 to legalize and regulate online gambling in the United States.

Frank is now focusing on blocking implementation of UIGEA, following an April 2nd hearing (conducted by the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology) that voiced the weaknesses, ill definition and inherent problems with the UIGEA, and echoed concerns raised in over 200 comments received during the government's open feedback period in 2007.

Testimony at the hearing given by members of the Banking Industry, frustrated government officials and others demonstrated the inability of government to define transactions that may be illegal, with an already overworked US financial services industry objecting strongly to taking on that role.

HR 5767 specifically targets the Treasury Department and U.S. Federal Reserve, to end more work on the regulations to enforce the UIGEA. An official description on the open congress website says: The Bill would prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve from proposing, prescribing, or implementing any regulation under subchapter IV of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, and for other purposes.

The following congressmen have signed onto the new bill thus far:

  • Gary L. Ackerman (D-NY)
  • Joe Baca (D- CA)
  • Shelley Berkley (D-NV)
  • Russ Carnahan (D- MO)
  • Michael Capuano (D- MA)
  • William Lacy Clay (D-MO)
  • Steve Cohen (D- TN)
  • Bob Filner (D-CA)
  • Charles Gonzalez (D- TX)
  • Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL)
  • Michael Honda (D-CA)
  • Peter T. King (R-NY)
  • James McGovern (D-MA)
  • James Moran (D-VA)
  • Ed Perlmutter (D- CO)
  • Steven Rothman (D- NJ)
  • Robert Wexler (D-FL)
  • HAVE YOU VOICED YOUR SUPPORT?

    Frank's office continues to encourage supporters to contact their congressmen to voice their support of online poker, saying it's the biggest factor for getting sponsorship and support of the bills.

    The Poker Players Alliance website offers a contact list and letter template for writing your congressperson (by zipcode) making it quick and easy to even add highly valued personal comments, at www.pokerplayersalliance.org.

    Alternately click here for a complete contact list and informative profile of all current members of Congress: Senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives, by zipcode or State.

    Read Related Articles:

  • 10 Sponsors Sign Bill to Block UIGEA Implementation
  • Bankers Applaud New Attack To Block UIGEA Implementation
  • UIGEA Hearing: Prohibition on Internet Gambling is a Failure
  • UIGEA Hearing: Enforcing Vague UIGEA Is a Struggle Say Feds
  • 48th Sponsor Signs IGREA Bill to Regulate Online Poker, Online Gambling
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