According to a statement,
Representatives Steve Cohen
(D-TN) and Steven Rothman
(D-NJ) placed their signatures to
HR 5767’s list of existing
sponsors last week to block
the implementation of the 2006
Unlawful Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act (UIGEA) which
made it illegal for financial institutions to pursue transactions between US residents and online poker and gaming operators.

Earlier, Congressmen Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced HR 5767 which quickly gained ten signatures.

All seven of these new sponsors also reportedly signed HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (IGREA) which was introduced on April 26 of last year to legalize and regulate online gambling in the United States.

It is said that Frank now focuses on blocking the implementation of UIGEA, following an April 2nd hearing conducted by the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology that voiced the inconsistencies, ill definition and inherent problems of the UIGEA.

In addition, the April 2nd hearing also discussed the concerns raised in over 200 comments received during the government’s open feedback period in 2007.

Reports said that the Banking Industry and frustrated government officials testimonies showed the failure of government to define transactions that are considered to be illegal amid the already overworked US financial services industry objecting strongly to side with UIGEA’s role.

HR 5767, in particular, targets the Treasury Department and U.S. Federal Reserve, to further stop the possibility of more work on the regulations to enforce the UIGEA.

“The Bill would prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve from proposing, prescribing, or implementing any regulation under Sub Chapter IV of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, and for other purposes,” Congress website said.

The following congressmen have signed onto the new bill:

• Gary L. Ackerman (D-NY)
• Robert Wexler (D-FL)
• Shelley Berkley (D-NV)
• Russ Carnahan (D- MO)
• Michael Capuano (D- MA)
• William Lacy Clay (D-MO)
• Steve Cohen (D- TN)
• Bob Filner (D-CA)
• Charles Gonzalez (D- TX)
• Luis V. Gutierrez(D-IL)
• Michael Honda (D-CA)
• Peter T. King (R-NY)
• James McGovern (D-MA)
• James Moran (D-VA)
• Ed Perlmutter (D- CO)
• Steven Rothman (D- NJ)
• Robert Wexler (D-FL)

According to a statement, the office of Frank continues to rally for supporters to contact their congressmen to voice their support of Online Poker, saying it is the biggest factor for getting sponsorship and support of the bills.

The Poker Players Alliance website also reportedly offers a contact list and letter template for writing congresspersons (by zipcode) making it quick and easy to even add highly valued personal comments.

For a complete list and informative profile of all current members of congress please go to the online directory for the 110th congress.