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Sens. Dean Heller, left, and Harry Reid attend a Memorial Day ceremony in Boulder City on May 30, 2011.
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012 | 5:45 a.m.
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- More political news from the Sun
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's frustration with Republican Sen. Dean Heller over Internet poker legislation has escalated another notch, with Nevada's senior senator telling Heller that he is failing to represent Nevada in the high-stakes effort to protect the state's gaming industry.
At issue is an effort by Reid, with the support of Heller and Arizona Republican Sen. Jon Kyl, to win Senate adoption of a bill that would give federal approval specifically to Internet poker but otherwise choke off online gaming. Such legislation is seen in some corners as critical in preserving Nevada's role in the nascent online gaming industry at a time when other states, including California, are positioning themselves to allow Internet gaming within their boundaries — a development that could sap Nevada's gaming industry.
Reid has been unable to lock 60 votes to secure veto-proof passage of Internet poker legislation, having previously said he could deliver 45 votes but needed Heller and Kyl to pony up with 15 Republican votes to get the bill passed.
On Monday, Heller wrote Reid that rather than try to win Senate approval for such a bill, the legislation should be launched in the House. Democrats are more than skeptical that the House would pass such a bill.
On Tuesday, Reid scolded Heller. "In May, you agreed to help me cement Republican support for the bill in the Senate," he wrote Heller. "Since then, you have been unable to garner the necessary Republican votes to pass this bill. As a result, we are at a standstill. And every day we stand still, Nevada's workers, its economy and its gaming industry suffers."
Reid said the legalization and regulation of online poker "may be the most important issue facing Nevada since Yucca Mountain. This bill means jobs for Nevada."
The reason: In the absence of federal legislation defining and regulating online gaming and poker, states will be allowed to fill the vacuum by adopting their own laws allowing online gambling within their jurisdictions. The development of online gaming in California is seen as a threat to the flow of tourists to Nevada. Reid's bill is intended to block Internet gaming with the exception of online poker, which Nevada-based companies are well positioned to offer.
In his letter to Heller, Reid wrote: "I did not want this issue to become political in nature, but I cannot stand by while you abdicate your responsibility as a U.S. senator representing Nevada. Nevadans deserve someone who will fight for them. Not someone who is willing to stand by and suggest that others should fight for them."
Heller is seeking election in November to the Senate seat to which he was appointed last year, running against Democrat Rep. Shelley Berkley.
Heller is not interested in passing any legislation in the House. The House is a mess. America knows it, and He knows it. Harry Reid is right in going after Heller, but lets face it, Harry does not have the votes in the Senate to pass online poker. Heller took the bait, now he's on the hook!
Harry Reid is just wrong for NV. Harry is an attack dog without teeth..... just an annoying bark.
It is a joke to believe that the Reid bill will make Nevada the world leader for gambling on the Internet.
Once the bill is passed anybody anywhere can legally set up gambling web sites.
Their is no true benefit to Nevada. Sure the local big casinos will try to compete for the money using their name but compete they must
No way to say Nevada wins anything
If this bill works as well for Nevada as the bank bailouts, TARP and stimulus bills that Senator Reid drew up in 2008-2009 we shouldn't be worried, but frightened.
Interesting once again you have Conservatives on here arguing against Competition. Not surprising however given the lack of basic intelligence of Conservatives.
Look around online gaming is SCREAMING for Nevada. The most ironic part is the reason largely is the stability of our Gaming Regulations and Oversight. Gee I wonder who pioneered all that?
No, Reid, the following are the three most important things to Nevada: jobs, jobs, jobs.
You've failed miserably on the poker bill so "man up" and say you have.
Certainly not your first or last miserable failure for sure.
There were no jobs at Yucca, Harry?
Your "laser-like" focus on jobs is coming up short, again.
I am getting sick and tired of Harry going along and representing his special interests groups or high campaign contributors. Heller at LEAST is doing what the majority of the people in his state have represented they want.
Internet is the only option for some with disabilities, must stay home, full time caregivers and the relationship and credibility I use to have with PokerStars was more trusted and valuable than what I experience physically in our state with businesses they call casinos.
So for all of you who stand behind elected officials like Reid ONLY BECAUSE of a party line dedication, this is NO LONGER a game like rooting for your favorite football or baseball team, some of these idiots are NOT looking out for us.
Pass the bill to see what's in it?
Democratic convention, take a vote and LIE stating the mayor of LA heard 2/3 voted for an affirmative?
HOW STUPID AND DUMB do they think we have become? We are a democratic majority household and I am NOT voting for another Democrat until they start proving they are once again about the citizens and voters and not about THEMSELVES while pointing fingers at their opponents being HYPOCRITES.
Now have a nice day!