LIVE UPDATES - Possible markup session for the Barney Frank bill

[vinism]

There might be a markup session today on Rep. Barney Frank's H.R. 2267 -- Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. Frank chairs the committee and will be running the session. The agenda for today's session is as follows:

(1)H.R. 5814, Public Housing Reinvestment and Tenant Protection Act of 2010;
(2)H.R. 4868, Housing Preservation and Tenant Protection Act of 2010;
(3)H.R. 2267, Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act;
(4)H.R. 3421, Medical Debt Relief Act of 2009;
(5)H.R. 4790, Shareholder Protection Act of 2010; and
(6)H.R. 5823, United States Covered Bond Act of 2010.
(7) H.R. 476, Veterans, Women, Families with Children, and Persons With Disabilities Housing Fairness Act of 2010 (Committee Print)

This agenda is only a guideline. It doesn't mean the bills will actually be considered in this order. And it doesn't guarantee the Frank bill will be discussed today (that depends on how much discussion surrounds the other bills). But it is on the agenda, and if there's a discussion and/or vote on it, we'll keep you posted.

[vinism]

They're discussing the public housing bill right now.

[Anthony]

Thanks Vin - Keep us informed!

[Anthony]

Vin your avatar requires some modification, my suggestion:

[vinism]

The House just recessed without discussing the online gambling bill. They're coming back at 5:30 p.m. (or after all votes on the House Floor were complete) to vote on the housing bills that were discussed this morning. Frank mumbled something about a Wednesday agenda. There was originally nothing scheduled for discussion on Wednesday. As more information becomes available, we'll post it here.

[vinism]

Vin your avatar requires some modification, my suggestion:

Nice.

[vinism]

Word filtering out of Washington D.C. is the Frank bill will be discussed Wednesday morning. I'll keep you posted as I learn more details.

[TanyaEverest]

There is a note on the Poker Player Alliance site that reads "Watch HR 2267 Markup Hearing: Update – Discussion Delayed till Wed. morning 7/28"

[vinism]

There is a note on the Poker Player Alliance site that reads "Watch HR 2267 Markup Hearing: Update – Discussion Delayed till Wed. morning 7/28"

I spoke with them briefly right after the session ended this afternoon, and that's what they were thinking would happen. In fact, the PPA thinks that the online gambling bill will be the first one discussed in the morning. From the other reporting I've done, it looks like a virtual certainty (98%). We'll know for sure (I hope) after they come back from recess today.

[TanyaEverest]

Perfect, thanks for the update! Excited to hopefully tune in tomorrow morning. Isn't it a bit late not to have returned from recess yet this afternoon?

[vinism]

Perfect, thanks for the update! Excited to hopefully tune in tomorrow morning. Isn't it a bit late not to have returned from recess yet this afternoon?

Not for the House. They tend to rise late and work late. They're scheduled to reconvene at 5:30 p.m. if there are no (full) House floor votes pending. If there are still votes going on, then they'll reconvene after the votes have finished.

[vinism]

They've reconvened early! They've started a series of roll call votes on the amendments to the housing bills discussed this morning.

[vinism]

Frank just confirmed that the online gambling bill will be the first one discussed on Wednesday morning. The markup session will begin at 10 a.m. ET, and I'll see you then.

[LuckyBettors - Jamie]

So what does this mean if voted for is positive? Does that mean the US market opens again for casinos?

[vinism]

We're back, and waiting for the markup session to start today.

[vinism]

So what does this mean if voted for is positive? Does that mean the US market opens again for casinos?

If the bill is voted out of committee, it means the journey to reopening the U.S. market has cleared its first step. The next steps are:

• Full vote in the House
• Senate committee vote (provided a sponsor can be found)
• Full vote in the senate
• Conference committee to resolve differences between House and Senate versions
• Signature by the president

[vinism]

They're under way right now.

[vinism]

The schedule is to go from 10-11 a.m. Break until noon. Go from noon-2. That will all be on the gambling bill. After that, they'll take up the other bills in front of the committee. It is possible that there won't be a vote on the Internet gambling bill until tomorrow morning.

[vinism]

Rep. Spencer Bachus from Alabama is trying a new tact to defeat the bill. He says it's the place of local and state governments to regulate gambling, and it's there job to keep the young from gambling. Not the job of the federal gambling.

[vinism]

Bachus says online gambling games resemble video games because the purpose is to get young people addicted.