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Senators Reid and Bryan 'Escape Noose' on NCAA Bill

Two Senators determined to pass a bill that outlaws betting on college sports in Nevada again spurred the stalled legislation on Tuesday.

But the prodding of Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sam Brownback, R-Kan., was not enough to set up a vote on the issue. It seems unlikely now the bill will be voted on this year, Nevada's senators say.

"They have got a lot of issues they need to take care of," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said. "I think they better look at next year."

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., also said the Senate calendar is nearly used up. Congress adjourns Friday until September. After that the Senate has just five weeks of work time left.

"It seems to me in all probability we are going to escape the noose this year," Bryan said.

Still, Brownback and McCain made impassioned speeches Tuesday, making it clear they intend to continue pushing.

"We offer the world the model for post-secondary education," Brownback said. "But sports gambling has become a black eye on too many of our colleges and universities. Gambling on the outcome of college sporting events tarnishes the integrity of the sport and diminishes the esteem in which we and the rest of the world hold U.S. post-secondary education institutions."

In response, Reid and Bryan launched speeches in defense of Nevada sports books.

"I just got tired of those guys coming to the floor and thinking that this was a slam dunk," Reid said. "There's another side to this story and I wanted to tell it."

On the floor, Bryan argued, "Against the backdrop of a serious national problem with illegal sports gambling, the Brownback-McCain legislation takes the very peculiar approach of targeting the only place in America where sports wagering is legal, regulated, policed, taxed and confined to adults over age 21 -- the state of Nevada."

The popular bill being pushed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association would likely pass easily in the 100-member Senate if it comes up for a vote.

Brownback and McCain have proven their relentless drive on the issue: McCain on May 4 and Brownback on June 29 tried to call for a vote on the bill, but Reid blocked them. McCain on July 18 again pressed his Senate colleagues.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., has agreed to call for debate and a vote. But Lott needs unanimous consent from the Senate, and when one senator objects, the measure is blocked from a vote.

Brownback and McCain believe that closing the "Las Vegas loophole" will curb the rampant gambling on college campuses. They believe that widespread betting among students makes student athletes susceptible to the temptations of game-fixing schemes.

McCain pointed to university presidents and high-profile coaches including retired North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith and Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun, who support the bill.

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