More Support for Barney Frank's UIGEA Bill

It’s always refreshing to be reminded that not everyone in politics is a complete moron. For example, Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank’s bill to license Internet gambling has just picked up another supporter.

A MAN CALLED GRIJALVA

Congressman Raul M. Grijalva of Arizona has become the 38th such enlightened individual to support H.R. 2046. This bill calls for the U.S. to license Internet gambling through the director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. In April, the bill was referred to the subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Grijalva obviously realizes that regulating online gambling is much more productive (and profitable) than trying to get rid of it all together.

A PLAGUE ON BOTH YOUR HOUSES

Last year saw the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). While it doesn’t outright ban online gambling in America, it does make it much more difficult by preventing banks from doing business with offshore casinos and poker rooms. Since Dubyah signed the bill into law, numerous online casinos have stopped accepting American customers. A few like Bodog are still taking American clients, but they are one of the exceptions.

While this has led some other countries to follow suit, it has also led the European Union to demand $100 billion in damages from the United States. Leave it to the Bush administration to continually make Americans look like a bunch of ignorant barbarians.

THE NUMBER GROWS

As the number of supporters grows, the odds of a suitable resolution slowly increase. Barney Frank has even indicated that he will soon introduce a bill that’s designed to end the UIGEA once and for all.

It’s going to be an uphill struggle, but enlightened politicians like Frank are leading the way. In fact, let’s take a look at all the current supporters of the bill. If you support the fall of the UIGEA, be sure and remember these folks the next time they’re up for re-election (assuming you live in an area where you can vote for them).

Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)

Gary Ackerman (D-New York)

Joe Baca (D-California)

Shelly Berkley (D-Nevada)

Howard Berman (D-California)

Michael Capuano (D-Massachusetts)

Russ Carnahan (D-Missouri)

Julia Carson (D-Indiana)

Joseph Crowley (D-New York)

William Lacy Clay (D-Missouri)

William Delahunt (D-Massachusetts)

Bob Filner (D-California)

Vito Fossella (R-New York)

Raul Greave (D-Arizona)

Luis Gutierrez (D-Illinois)

Alcee Hastings (D-Florida)

Michael Honda (D-California)

Steve Israel (D-New York)

Peter King (R-New York)

Carolyn McCarthy (D-California)

Jim McDermott (D-Washington)

James McGovern (D-Massachusetts)

Charlie Melancon (D-Louisiana)

Ron Paul (R-Texas)

Ed Perlmutter (D-Colorado)

Ciro Rodriguez (D-Texas)

Steven Rothman (D-New Jersey)

Linda Sanchez (D-California)

Adam Schiff (D-California)

Bobby Scott (D-Virginia)

Benny Thompson (D-Mississippi)

Edolphus Towns (D-New York)

Melvin Watt (D-North Carolina)

Anthony Weiner (D-New York)

Robert Wexler (D-Florida)

Lynn Woolsey (D-California)

Albert Russell Wynn (D-Maryland)

Don Young (R-Alabama)
For more on the UIGEA, check out the following:

Kaplan Arrested by U.S. Agents

Frank Introduces UIGEA Legislation

More Support for Barney Frank's UIGEA Bill