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The compromise measure focused mainly on hampering online gambling financial
channels, and dropped amendments to the Wire Act 1961 itself. Proceedings went
on into the early hours of this (Saturday) morning, ending when the vote went
overwhelmingly in favour of the Port Security Bill, which carried the compromise
internet gaming measure through on its skirts despite reservations by several
politicians. The Port Security Bill and its attachments will now go forward to
a voice vote in the Senate, after which bureaucratic process and the President's
signature are believed to be the only delays in bringing it to law.
Changes to the Bill, as well as the attachment of the internet gambling
provisions, angered some Democrats, who helped craft the original port security
legislation but were largely blocked from the final negotiations. The Senate had
overwhelmingly approved the authorisation of $3.5 billion for mass-transit
security grants and $1 billion for freight and passenger rail programs, but
House Republicans balked at the cost.
"If Republicans leave town [after] stripping out all the sections protecting
major sectors of out transportation sector, God help us if there's an attack,"
said Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.). Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.),
whose home-state casinos are split over the Internet gambling measure, briefly
weighed scuttling the bill over the provision before agreeing to go along, aides
said.
More to follow
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