Has Harry Reid Dropped Tax Attachment Tactic For Poker Bill

Posted by Phil I : On 12/10/10

Industry waits to see Nevada senator's next move in online poker legalization initiative
 
The fast-moving story of Nevada senator Harry Reid's attempt to push through a federal bill legalising online poker in the United States took an unexpected turn Friday with a report from the respected and usually well-informed publication Politico that Reid has dropped a plan to attach his bill to must-pass tax legalization.
     
There has been widespread speculation that the senator would deploy such a tactic, emulating strategies used by the Republicans to get the UIGEA through a late night session of Congress just before an election recess four years ago.
 
But when the 74-page tax cut bill widely seen as Reid's best opportunity was officially introduced late Thursday, it did not include the internet poker legalization language.
 
Politico notes that with the lame-duck session of Congress now winding down, Reid's options are dwindling if his measure is to be enacted before next year, when Republicans will dominate the House and are unlikely to view his proposal with favour.
 
"Reid could still insert the poker legalization into the tax-cut bill if additional modifications are made before a final vote is cast sometime next week," the publication speculates. "Or he could slip the plan into a mammoth $1 trillion omnibus spending bill that has yet to be unveiled but is necessary to keep the government funded through September. Any option is certain to generate backlash from the GOP."