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What happens to HR 4411 now?
The House of Representatives vote in favour of Bill HR4411 "The Unlawful Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act of 2006" has whipped up a blizzard of media publicity, much of it creating the impression that the ban on online gambling is now law.
It isn't. HR4411 has a way to go yet before it reaches the President's desk for signing into law. Here's a quick summary of the future path of this legislation:
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Having been approved by the House of Representatives, the Bill is now forwarded to the Senate, where it will be introduced to the Senate floor and will have to run the political gauntlet of examination, debate and manouevring through various sub-committees and committees where amendments can be made.
With the agreed amendments in place, the Bill then goes back to the floor for serious debate and voting. After that the original Bill from the House of Representatives and the amended BIll from the Senate have to go into conference committee where a final version incorporating all the elements agreed upon has to be drafted. This is sent back to the Senate and the House of Representatives for final approval.
Once final approval from both Senate and House (together called "Congress") has been achieved, the Bill is sent to the White House, where the President and his advisers consider the Bill and either sign it into U.S. law, exercise the Presidential veto or allow the Bill to lapse. If the President vetos the Bill his decision can only be overturned by a two thirds majority in both the House and the Senate.
Here's a few dates to consider in the context of HR4411 and its forward journey:
Senate summer recess: August 7 - September 4
House of Representatives: July 31 - September 4
Business recommences September 5
Midterm elections: November 7
Senate and the House adjournment date (at present) is set for October 6
Last date by which final version of HR 4411 must be approved by Congress: September 22 in order to meet the 10 business days before adjournment rule.
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