Harry Reid Doubles Down on Calling Out Republican Dean Heller Re: Online Poker Bill

Written by:
C Costigan
Published on:
Sep/11/2012
Harry Reid Doubles Down on Calling Out Republican Dean Heller Re: Online Poker B

Harry Reid on Tuesday blasted Nevada Republican Senator Dean Heller for failing to help pass through online poker legislation that would help create hundreds of new jobs and millions of dollars in added revenue in the Silver State. 

While Nevada has already passed a measure legalizing Internet poker within that state’s borders, operators will be unable to capitalize on “real money” players from outside the state until federal legislation is passed. 

Heller is in a hotly contested election battle with Democrat Shelley Berkley, someone who has long been outspoken against prohibition passed in late 2006.  Many members of the popular TwoPlusTwo.com poker forums have expressed outrage over that website's endorsement of Heller over Berkley in recent days. 

"Shelley Berkley's race is one of the most important races in the county," said Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chair of the Democratic National Committee and a Florida congresswoman.

Heller has been edging out Berkley only slightly this month while Berkley enjoyed an edge during the month of August.  This race can go either way. 

All but one Nevada casino operator has expressed support for online poker legislation in the state.  The lone holdout is Sheldon Adelson, who just happens to be one of the biggest donors to the Republican party.  Yesterday, Gambling911.com reported on how Adelson’s PAC began pumping in ad money to attack Massachusetts Democrat Congressman John Tierney for his wife’s role in assisting her brother with running an illegal offshore gambling enterprise. 

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"It's really a failure in leadership of my friend," Reid told reporters Tuesday, in reference to Heller.

"I have done everything within my power to get the Republicans to come up with some votes. This is an important piece of legislation," he said. "It deals with the criminal element."

"Several months ago, Sen. Reid asked Sen. Heller to secure Republican votes to help pass an Internet poker bill and to date, Sen. Heller has not been able to secure any support," Reid spokeswoman Kristen Orthman said. "Unfortunately, rather than standing to fight for this important issue for Nevada, Sen. Heller has decided to run for cover and attempt to lay blame on others."

Reid gave Heller until early this week to garner up enough votes to pass the legislation.  To date, 45 Democratic votes in favor of legalizing online poker were now available, leaving Heller to find another 15 Republicans to prevent an anticipated filibuster.

During the Republican convention it was revealed that Web gambling prohibition had been added to the party platform. 

Heller responded to Reid’s assertion via a letter that suggested the House should move first in response to the Justice Department action, which late last year determined that a 1960’s Wire Act would no longer apply to poker. 

"I am concerned with attempts to impose a deadline ... providing little if any time to reconfirm the necessary support among my conference," Heller wrote.

Outgoing Arizona Republican Senator Jon Kyl concurred with Heller’s position.

"The fact is that through a series of conversations we've had, those of us who were working on this thought that the best approach would be to have legislation start in the House to deal with the attorney general's changing of the interpretation of the Wire Act," said Kyl, who co-authored the controversial online gambling prohibition act of 2006. "Have the Senate then adopt the legislation, and ­- if it be its will - to add the poker exemption and then send the bill back to the House for its final approval and then on to the president."

Reid is looking to attach his online poker measure to a “must-pass” appropriations bill, which appears to be the only complimentary legislation likely to end up on the President's desk by year’s end. 

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com

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