Update your Reps' Stance on Poker here (Party data inside)!

[sba9630]

Originally Posted by jonesse

What do the bold and underlined parts mean? I don't understand it.

I should have used the word strange instead of "interesting".

"But before the Internet gambling ban is fully repealed, we need to make sure that individual privacy rights are fully protected online."

I could understand a statement about protecting individual privacy rights if he was referring to companies demanding social media logins from prospective employees or if he was talking about SOPA legislation, but that wording in relation to online poker just seems weird to me. In addition, I don't recall any politician saying that in any of the statements I've read.

[Micro McD]

Originally Posted by TruFloridaGator

I think that's basically a For 95% of the time, especially when the bill will address his concerns & CA is moving forward. As long as we do that for the Against crowd as well.

Good to hear, I wasn't sure if this was just an appeasing political line with elections coming. The bad news is this info I got off Ballotpedia. "Heading into the election the incumbent is Duncan Hunter (R), who was first elected in 2008. However, due to heavy redistricting, the current incumbent of the district will most likely no longer remain in the district."...There is going to be a primary to decide the top 2 candidates.

Brian Bilbray(CA-R, Against) was displaced from his 50th district and is marked as the incumbent running in the 52nd district. Also, Susan A. Davis(CA-D, Against) of the new 53rd district is running against Nick Popaditch(CA-R, Unknown), i'll contact them all for updates.

[GJS70]

Originally Posted by GJS70

Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), and Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM). They always respond when I send letters, but just in general, form letter format of "this is interesting, thank you for letting me know how you feel, I will keep your thoughts in mind". None have indicated a position one way or the other. So, from what I'm getting back from them, I guess on your list they would stay Undecided, Undecided, and Unknown, respectively.

Thanks for updating this list. I just contacted them all again Tuesday, so if I hear anything different this time I'll let you know.

Update: Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) will not run again for his seat. The two candidates running will be Martin Heinrich (D) and Heather Wilson (R). This is expected to be a hotly-contested race for the Senate seat. I will be contacting both candidates to see what their stance is on online poker.

[bippitybop]

Your information on Sen. Cantwell, Sen. Murray, and Rep. Doc Hastings seems to be accurate according to my correspondence with them from this week. Murray and Cantell still seem to give little indication of which way they lean and Hastings displays support.

[pokerpunchout]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

Arizona is going to have an open senate seat (vacated by Kyl). I haven't heard too much about who's running. Nothing at all on the democrats. On the republican side, I've seen a TV commercial for Wil Cardon (random dude) bashing Jeff Flake (currently a US Rep). Flake looks to be a typical republican and he's mormon.

Richard Carmona is the Democratic Nominee. He was formally Surgeon General of the US under George W Bush. The race will most likely be Carmona (D) vs. Flake for the vacant Senate seat. While I have not heard Carmona express his views specifically in regards to online poker, he would be a better choice than Flake who basically is a younger version of Kyl.

[bippitybop]

Some other things I noticed in a brief glance through of the spreadsheet:

- John Ensign from NV is resigned and has been replaced by Dean Heller (R).
- New York 26th is no longer vacant, Kathy Hochul (D) was elected.
- David Wu from the Oregon 1st (D) is resigned and has been replaced with Suzanne Bonamici (D).
- Jay Inslee from WA 1st resigned to focus on gubernational run, Donald Payne fro NJ-10th unfortunately died, and Gabrielle Gifford from Arizona 8th resigned as well due to Tucson shooting (they have a special election for this on 12th).
- California 6th is no longer vacant, they elected Janice Hahn (D).

[bippitybop]

California 36th, rather.

[Micro McD]

In CA both Darrell Issa and Duncan D, Hunter now in the 50th district crushed their primaries and are both 'for'. Not sure if 65% rule counts for them but they are near locks either way.

[ChrisMystery]

FYI Here is my response from Dick Durbin - IL Senator

Thank you for your message regarding the legalization of online poker. I appreciate hearing from you about this issue.

The debate over Internet gambling has generated strong public interest. While most types of Internet gambling are prohibited under federal law, many sites are based in foreign countries and have fallen outside the jurisdiction of American law enforcement. Their sites often fail to block access to children and lack effective safeguards against fraud.

On April 15, 2011, the Department of Justice (DOJ) took action against eleven individuals allegedly engaged in the operation of illegal gambling businesses. This is an active investigation by the DOJ and, as a U.S. Senator, I do not play a role.

Prior to the adjournment of the 111th Congress, Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada proposed draft legislation that would loosen current restrictions on online gaming put forth in the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. Current federal law prohibits the flow of revenue, including checks, credit card charges, and electronic transfers to Internet gambling businesses. Senator Reid’s proposed legislation, however, would allow such transactions to online poker sites that are operated by existing casinos, horseracing tracks, and slot-machine makers. Senator Reid’s bill was not voted on prior to adjournment of the 111th Congress.

Another bill, the Internet Gambling Rgulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act (H.R. 1174), was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2011. The bill would permit states to regulate Internet gambling as guided by the federal law. There is no similar bill in the Senate, as yet. I will keep your thoughts in mind as similar legislation is considered this year.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to keep in touch.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator