Joe Barton Hopes to Have 1 to 2 Dozen Co-Sponsors for Online Poker Bill

Texas Republican Representative Joe Barton said during a conference call Tuesday that he hopes to have between one and two dozen co-sponsors for his online poker bill, introduced last week.

He said he hopes that Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) will allow him to hold a hearing on the bill and a subcommittee markup, but he hasn't received any promises. 

Barton also confirmed to reporters during the conference call that he had yet to speak to either Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) or Dean Heller (R-Nevada) about his measure.  Both Senators introduced online poker legislation in the last session of Congress that ultimately failed.

If the bill can clear a subcommittee vote, it will be up to Nevada Sens. Harry Reid (D) and Dean Heller (R) to gain momentum in the Senate, according to Barton.

"If the Senate is serious, I think the House will be very serious," he said. 

- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com