Update Friday, September 29th
 

Friday has been quite a roller coaster for all of us following the internet gambling legislation/language.

Senate Majority Leader Frist and House Speaker Hastert continue to attempt to attach extraneous matters to bills moving through both chambers. This includes some form of Internet gambling language.

It appears for the moment that the only viable major vehicle for this language be attached to is the legislation dealing with port security. The remainder of the large bills that will be considered before breaking for the elections have been finalized or passed (DoD Approps, DoD Authorization, DHS Approps, etc.)

As of Friday evening, reports indicate that Internet gambling language has been inserted into the port security legislation conference report.

Both chambers are still slated to end work late Friday or Saturday before they head back for the elections. It is unclear at this point exactly when they will gavel things closed until mid-November. Remember that they will be back after the elections for a lame-duck session.

What can you do at this point? Please feel free to continue to call the chief authors of the port security legislation and hope they can be convinced to not add extraneous matters to this important bill. In addition, you should call your own Senators and Representative to reinforce this message.

Try to remain respectful and not abuse the people who answer the phones. They are much more likely to pass along the message if you keep the tone polite.

Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) (202) 224-3004
Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) (202) 224-3934
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) (202) 224-2523
Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) (202) 224-4041
Rep. Peter King (R-NY) 202-225-7896
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) 202-225-5876

Senate Homeland Security Committee
Majority: 202-224-4751
Minority: 202-224-2627
Senate Commerce Committee
Majority: 202-224-5115
Minority: 202-224-0411
House Homeland Security Committee
Majority: (202) 226-8417
Minority: (202) 226-2616

House Office of the Speaker: 202-225-0600
House Office of the Majority Leader: 202-225-4000
Senate Office of the Majority Leader: 202-225-135

If anyone wishes to watch either the House or Senate floors, you can view it on C-Span (House) or C-Span 2 (Senate).

C-Span Website

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

How about re-posting their phone numbers here, Berge?

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

Representative Peter King (R-NY) 202 225-7896

Susan Collins, Chairwoman Senate Homeland Security Committee: 202-224-2523 main office, 202-224-4751 committee office (this is the more important one to call)

Joe Lieberman, Ranking Member of same: 202 224-4041, 202-224-2627 (committee office, more important)

Daniel Inouye, Ranking Member, Senate Commerce Committee: 202-224-0411

Holla.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

yeah please that would save a lot time for all of us

Re: Update Friday, September 29th *DELETED*
 

Post deleted by SamG

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

I've never called more than 20 senators and representatives in one hour until today. Several times the lines were consistently busy, and many of them had been receiving a lot of calls.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

I'm a little bit out of the loop right now but Lieberman's office said he is against any germane language on the Port's bill.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a little bit out of the loop right now but Lieberman's office said he is against any non-germane language on the Port's bill.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

I just called Inouye, and Liberman and was informed by the staffer that they both oppose the gambling legislation being added to the bill, and that I should be calling Frist and Hastert's office to let them know I disapprove of their actions.

Collins' staffer asked me where I found out about this issue and I let her know I came from this website.

I aslo called Frist's office and bitched him out and said I will not even think about voting for him in November 2008 if he decides to run for president.

And of course I called both my local senators and let them know of my concerns. (Warner and Allen)

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

[ QUOTE ]

Quote:
I'm a little bit out of the loop right now but Lieberman's office said he is against any non-germane language on the Port's bill.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes that is what I meant.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

Am I viewing the wrong thing, or are they not talking about the port bill any more?

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

[ QUOTE ]
Am I viewing the wrong thing, or are they not talking about the port bill any more?

[/ QUOTE ]

It has not been brought up yet.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

This just in: The Majority Leader's office has ordered dinner for other Senators, indicating that they will be staying in sesison for a little while longer at the very least. I wonder if they're having Freedom Fries? Or fried pork? Hmmm... what other lame DC insider jokes can I come up with here?

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

Mr. K --- Does the stuff that is going on on Cspan right now help us at all, in the sense that it causes delay?

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

I am not watching CSPAN right now, so I don't know.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Am I viewing the wrong thing, or are they not talking about the port bill any more?

[/ QUOTE ]

It has not been brought up yet.

[/ QUOTE ]

Gotcha. Thanks.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

i can't see how it could be bad since they do have to adjour at some deadline like 1 am. i say call on dean smith and break out the four corners offense. run that damn clock.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

[ QUOTE ]
I am not watching CSPAN right now, so I don't know.

[/ QUOTE ]

Senator Byrd thanked other Senators for 40 minutes.
Senator ENZI is bashing Senator Clinton's bill and talking about HIV.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

As someone who lives in DC, is there someone I can physically harass about this?

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

The House is approving the DHS Approps conference report right now.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I am not watching CSPAN right now, so I don't know.

[/ QUOTE ]

Senator Byrd thanked other Senators for 40 minutes.
Senator ENZI is bashing Senator Clinton's bill and talking about HIV.

[/ QUOTE ]

Clearly, these people have busy schedules.

Comment from Reid spokesman
 

“They're using it as a dumping ground” for bills that couldn't pass on their own, said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/n...ssecurity.html

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

I've been working and golfing all day. Could somebody provide me with a brief summary of what's been going on? Thanks!

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've been working and golfing all day. Could somebody provide me with a brief summary of what's been going on? Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

summary

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

Seems like only way IG will pass this session is onto Port Security Bill, but that the draft MAY include this at this time. Liebermann is especially opposed to this, as democrats support Port Security, but do not like non-germane add-ons.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

The bill that Frist has been trying to put IG on all week was passed out of conference today without IG. Now, Frist is trying to put it in the Port Security bill, and there doesn't seem to be anyone to really object this time. However, they're running out of time, so there's a decent chance that the Port Bill won't receive a vote right now. Thus, we're all drinking and watching C-SPAN.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

So, this is bad? I mean, if Liebermann's objecting, somebody's fighting it, right? Or no? Is it simply a matter of time running out?

Will they meet tomorrow, or is this it?

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

CSPAN 2 is Senate Hearings, I'd probably watch that if I were you (I can't, student body chose it as one of 5 cable channels to elminate :-()

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

[ QUOTE ]

Will they meet tomorrow, or is this it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Unclear at this point.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

Is this typical activity at the end of the session? Do legislators invariably try to tack on as much non-germane stuff to every last-minute bill, or are we just fortunate to see something we're interested in subject to all this maneuvering?

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

So we call all these people and say what?? DO not add the ig portion to the bill?? Just call and say that?

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

yea man, thats fine. They are basically taking a tally of how many calls they get on each issue. And it does make a difference.

Just make it clear that you don't approve of the way they are trying to attach unrelated measures to Homeland Defense legislation and make reference to the Internet Gambling stuff as an example

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

Senate will be in for the next 90 minutes at least. House is looking like it will probably have a late night as well, but unclear how late.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

If the Senate leave in two hours, but the House is voting at midnight, does the senate come back tomorrow to do their part of the vote? Or is this a silly question?

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

I just got home and tried to call King's office (got v mail). Is it too late to call ?(i have 5:45 CST as i write this). Please post reply and i ll be happy to call anyone if not too late.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

Just leave a voice mail.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

I just talked to a well-placed source who I agreed not to name, and was told this: The anti-gambling language HAS been attached to the Port Security Bill, and though the situation is still fluid, it is harder to get language out of a bill once it has been attached. If you value online gaming, now is the time for you and everyone you know to call.

Mr. K, Berge, Nate, et al, have you heard that the language has indeed been attached?

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

No one answered Lieberman, so left message 6:57 EST

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

Gad dammit. Don't tell me I had my wife call all those phone numbers for no reason. I hate owing her favors.

Re: Update Friday, September 29th
 

[censored]. The House is going to pass the port security bill. I don't know what's in there.