Update Friday, September 29th

[Berge20]

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