9/17/2001
Goodlatte-Ashcroft meetings cause some consternation
Governor Bob Goodlatte is not giving up so easily on his campaign to ban online gambling. Despite last year?s failure, Goodlatte has met twice with Attorney General John Ashcroft in Nevada to discuss Goodlatte?s proposed online gambling ban.
There has been no confirmation as to whether Ashcroft has given his support to Goodlatte. As a senator in Missouri, Ashcroft once described legalized gambling as a ?cancer?. However, although Goodlatte described the talks as encouraging, he would not reveal whether or not he had the Attorney General?s support for the bill.
Goodlatte plans to unveil his online gambling ban next month, despite the significant lack of support for the bill, which restricts the use of credit cards for gambling transactions online.
?I?m going to push very hard to get it passed this year, determined as ever, Goodlatte said. ?But obviously, it?s going to depend on time.? Having missed the deadline last year, getting it through or at least heard on time is foremost in Goodlatte?s mind. It may not be the major priority for Congress, which needs to discuss bills related to next year?s federal budget.
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