The witness list for Wednesday’s internet gambling hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee was released this morning. The lineup features a “who’s who” of Congressmen that have had an impact on internet gambling, including Barney Frank (D-MA) and Bob Goodlatte (R-VA).
Frank is internet gambling’s main champion on Capitol Hill. The longtime Massachusetts lawmaker has introduced a bevy of bills to clarify or overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), including HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. The regulatory measure was introduced in May 2009 and just picked up its 69th co-sponsor, Scott Murphy (D-NY). The bill was discussed in the House Financial Services Committee last December, but has not yet been marked up.
Joining Frank is Goodlatte, who helped bring the UIGEA to fruition back in 2006 along with Jim Leach (R-IA) and former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN). The UIGEA was not discussed in the Senate and instead attached to an unrelated port security measure in the final moments of the 2006 Congressional session. Goodlatte represents the sixth district of Virginia, which includes Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Harrisonburg.
Also appearing is Ways and Means Committee member Jim McDermott (D-WA). The hearing is set to discuss tax proposals related to internet gambling, which includes McDermott’s HR 4976, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act. The bill prescribes that states, tribes, and the Federal Government would reap taxes from licensed internet gambling. Moreover, HR 4976 sets aside a portion of the proceeds raised for those currently or formerly in foster care as well as various American heritage projects. HR 4976 was introduced in March and has three co-sponsors.
Representatives from the United States Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will also make their way to Room 1100 of the Longworth House Office Building at 9:30am ET on Wednesday. Speaking on behalf of the IRS is Christopher Wagner, Commissioner of the Small Business Self-Employed Division. Flanking Wagner is Rebecca Sparkman, Deputy Director for Operations for the Criminal Investigation Division.
The final panelist for Wednesday’s Ways and Means Committee hearing is Charles Steele, Deputy Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for the United States Department of the Treasury. The lineup is in stark contrast to the panel that appeared at December’s Financial Services Committee hearing. Treasury officials were noticeably absent from those proceedings, leading Ranking Member Spencer Bachus (R-AL) to call for a follow-up hearing. However, none has taken place.
Looming for the online poker community is the June 1st financial services industry compliance with the regulations of the UIGEA. Several industry officials, including the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), don’t see the deadline as a “doomsday scenario.” However, whether players will be able to deposit and withdraw with ease remains to be seen. The UIGEA only governs deposits; however, several poker affiliates have reported increased wire minimums for withdrawals from major online poker sites.
The House Ways and Means Committee features 26 Democrats and 18 Republicans. Its lineup of left-wingers includes several familiar faces in the internet gambling world, including Shelley Berkley (D-NV), John Larson (D-CT), and Linda Sanchez (D-CA). Any individuals or entities that desire to submit comments for the official record have until June 2nd to do so. Comments cannot exceed 10 pages.
Interested online poker players can catch the hearing online at the House Ways and Means Committee website via a live video stream. We’ll have a complete recap for you on Wednesday right here on Poker News Daily.
