Kyl-Reid Bill Triggers More Criticism

A new deterioration has been noted in the relations between Democratic Nevada Senator Harry Reid and Republican Dean Heller, also a Nevada Senator, when the latter gave an interview in which he stated that Reid dedicates more time to the support of fellow Democrat, Rep. Shelley Berkley's bid for Heller's senatorial position than he does to the passage of the online poker legalization. He also said that Reid could have moved on the bill three months ago but deliberately delayed it in order to boost Berkley's chances against him in the run up to the November 6 elections. However, Heller added that he has not given up on the bill and that he is still trying to muster enough Republican support for the bill, hoping to achieve this in the lame duck session of Congress following the November elections. On the other side of this fight, a Reid spokesman attacked Heller, saying: "Instead of fighting for Nevada and trying to secure his colleague's support, Senator Heller has now chosen to question Senator Reid's intentions and lay blame on everyone but himself. "That's unfortunate. Since May, Senator Heller has been tasked to secure Republican support, and Senator Reid has been willing to move on a bill as soon as he was told the support was there. To date, Senator Heller has been unable to secure any support. Senator Reid will continue to fight to seek bipartisan support to legalize online poker that is important to Nevada." Also, it was noted in Reid's letter to Heller that "I did not want this issue to become political in nature but I cannot stand by while you abdicate your responsibility as a U.S. Senator representing Nevada. "Nevadans deserve someone who will fight for them."