MORE SUPPORT FOR ANTI-UIGEA MEASURE

27 June 2008

Two more sponsors for bill that seeks to stop implementation of UIGEA regulations


HR 5767, the bi-partisan bill introduced by Congressmen Barney Franks and Ron Paul to halt the implemention of supporting regulations for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, has attracted the sponsorship of two more Washington politicians.

The measure has moved to "mark-up" stage scheduled for June 24 in the House Financial Services Committee, where amendments may be suggested.

Representative Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) and Representative Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) are the latest politicians to sign up for the bill, which was introduced on April 11 and in its current form would prohibit the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve from "proposing, prescribing or implementing" any regulations under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

The draft regulations have been the subject of widespread criticism for a lack of precision and practicality, and the burden the UIGEA places on the US banking industry. The new sign-ups bring political support to 20 Representatives across both political parties.

Representative Abercrombie is a liberal Democrat who voted against passing the UIGEA when it was proposed, attached to an unrelated security bill in a late night session of Congress just before an election recess in late 2006. He has also signed on as a supporter of Frank's HR 2046 bill, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, which seeks to legalise and regulate online gambling in the United States, effectively overturning the UIGEA.

Representative Lynch is also a Democrat and a member of the influential House Finances Committee. Although he voted for the UIGEA, he is apparently concerned about the possible consequences of the controversial draft regulations that have been widely condemned for a lack of precision, and the enforcement burden these place on an already overstretched financial industry in the United States.

Washington hearings on the issue have indicated serious reservations about the UIGEA in a wide cross-section of interested and involved parties. Lynch has not signed up for HR 2046 and the regulation and licensing of online gambling.

The full list of HR 5767 cupporters is currently:

Barney Frank (D - Mass.)
Ron Paul (R-Texas)
Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.)
Joe Baca (D-Calif.)
Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.)
Michael Capuano (D-Mass.)
Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.)
William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.)
Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.)
Bob Filner (D-Calif.)
Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas)
Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)
Michael Honda (D-Calif.)
Peter King (R-N.Y.)
James McGovern (D-Mass.)
Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.)
Steven Rothman (D-N.J.)
Robert Wexler (D-Fla.)
Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)
Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.)

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