Online Gambling Bill HR 5767 Defeated in Committee

And even the watered-down version of HR5767 could not pass; a vote led to a stalemate, at 32-32.

In a clear display of how Congress works, or rather doesn't work, Barney Frank's resolution to prevent the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act failed to make it out of committee today.

House Resolution 5767, which called for a negation of the UIGEA and a cessation of any attempts to enforce it, was first amended by Republican Representative Peter King of New York, calling for the development of a clearer and more defined set of regulations, as determined by the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve, that would alleviate burdens upon the banking and financial industry.

This amending changed the original intent of the bill considerably. Rather than basically eliminate the UIGEA, the King Amendment would simply have terms more precisely outlined, while still outlawing online gambling money transfers.

And even the watered-down version of HR5767 could not pass; a vote led to a stalemate, at 32-32. A majority victory was needed to advance the bill to the House floor.

Republican Representative Spencer Bachus of Alabama attacked the measure, saying that gambling is a growing addiction, and allowing it online places it within view of children. He did not discuss government censorship of the entire internet, nor outlawing gambling throughout the U.S., though both those fascist concepts lie clearly along his path of reasoning.

Bachus also told supporters of HR 5767 that they were supporting criminal enterprises, meaning online casinos. It is the UIGEA that makes this so, and the reason to rid the statutes of it; if a bill illegalizing ice cream were passed in all its foolishness, those supporting ice cream parlors would be supporting criminal enterprise also.

By the by, those supporters include virtually every banking and financial association in the country, Americans for Tax Reform, the Poker Players Alliance,
members of the Fed and officials from the Treasury, and libertarians and citizens for choice everywhere.

Ironic that Bacchus was the Greek god of wine and ecstasy, known for being the Liberator, freeing oneself from uptight, overly strict, and judgemental morals, and represented the social and beneficial influences of freeing one's mind. How far has the namesake apple fallen from the tree.

Now, horse racing and lotteries have to fear the adverse affects of the UIGEA; banks have stated they must err far to the side of caution on the undefined elements proscribed by the horrific bill. Children may still view gambling sites, only now it will be illegal, unregulated sites. Billions will be spent to prevent what cannot be stopped, rather than billions made while regulation prevents minor access and protects consumers. Thanks for everything, Mr. Bachus.