Response from Congressman Jon Porter (R-NV)

[kidpokeher]

My letter (drafted 7/22):

Mr. Porter:

As one of your constituents, I am writing to ask you to strongly consider co-sponsoring Rep. Barney Frank's bill, HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007.

As I understand it, 31 house members currently cosponsor this legislation that would effectively repeal the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, passed in the dead of night without debate via a shameful attachment to a "must-pass" port security bill. This smacks of politics at its worst and, regardless of any opinion of gambling in general, should be repealed simply for the manner on which it was passed. Your help is needed.

The need to repeal the UIGEA goes far beyond the general libertarian philosophy of Nevada residents like myself who consider gambling, whether in a casino or online, to be a personal liberty. We understand, as you do, that gambling as entertainment is a personal choice and realize that the majority of the population should not be made to suffer for the few who may be unable to gamble in a responsible manner.

Repealing the UIGEA is necessary not simply because national polls consistently show 75% of Americans oppose federal efforts to ban online gambling. It is necessary because we must, as a nation, strongly oppose any efforts to circumvent the normal legislative process in order to satisfy a personal agenda. It's no secret Senator Bill Frist attached the UIGEA in the manner he did because he knew he would not be able to get the support he needed to pass the bill on its own supposed merits. Already, the FBI is overreaching their authority and using the UIGEA to make the unsubstantiated claim that all online gambling is illegal. See the following link: http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june07/gambling060607.htm

I know you have been working with Rep. Shelly Berkley to pass a bill that would study whether Internet gambling can be regulated. I appreciate the bipartisan effort, however the bill doesn't go far enough. Quite frankly, history has shown us prohibition simply does not work. When will we learn? I see little difference between the attempt to ban online gaming and the failed attempt to ban alcohol. You may as well be asking to ban the Internet. The question to ask is not whether Internet gambling can be regulated, but rather how can we best satisfy consumer desires to gamble online, while still providing the same checks and controls we have done successfully for years in our brick-and-mortar counterparts. Rep. Barney Frank's bill addresses these issues and for this reason I ask for your support.

Thank you for your time and service.




His response (received 9/22):

Dear (Fristed):

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007. I appreciate having the benefit of your views on this very important issue.

As you may know, my colleague, Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007. This legislation seeks to amend federal law governing monetary transactions to establish an Internet Gambling Licensing Program administered and enforced by the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. This legislation also prescribes requirements for the licensing of Internet betting or wagering and provides that activities involving investment banking, payment and transaction processing, and financial transactions are shielded from liability if they are conducted in compliance with this Act and specified law.

The legislation introduced by Congressman Frank is one way to address the lack of regulation in internet gambling. I believe that regulation in this industry first requires an independent study on Internet gaming. This past May, I joined my colleague Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV) in introducing the Internet Gambling Study Commission Act which would establishes the Internet Gambling Study Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of Internet gambling, including the existing legal framework that governs such activities and transactions. It also reports to the President and Congress on study findings and conclusions.

Presently, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act is awaiting action in the House Committee on Financial Services, of which I am not a member. Please know that I will be sure to keep your views in mind when this legislation is addressed by the full House of Representatives.

Again, thank you for writing. Please feel free to contact me in the future with any additional issues or concerns you may have.



Sincerely,

Jon C. Porter
Member of Congress

JCP/sm


Personally I'm disappointed since it looks like another boilerplate response ("As you may know...", duh, it's in my letter.) He doesn't explain why we need (yet another) study on gaming or why it should take precedence over restoring our individual freedoms. Seems to me they should have done a study before passing UIGEA don't you think? Finally, he doesn't say whether he'll support HR2046 or not.

But when have politicians not disappointed me?

[DeadMoneyDad]

Well like dating if they all imeadately layed down and gave it up it wouldn't be any fun.......

All efforts have a cumulative effect.


D$D

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
Well like dating if they all imeadately layed down and gave it up it wouldn't be any fun.......

[/ QUOTE ]

I beg to differ. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]