Conveys and Frank Teaming up in Letter to Trade Rep

The Judiciary Committee chairman along with Representative Barney Frank, House Financial Services Committee chairman, joined together in efforts to send a letter to the United States Trade Representative which showed criticism on the way the nation had of handling the case against it, to do with the World Trade Organization. This being one positive result which came from last weeks Judiciary Committee hearing.

Conyers Jr. and Frank both are sending pressure to the United States Trade Representative in changing the way things are being handled with the WTO.

"Your agency has chosen not to consult with Congress, but instead to take what we view as a drastic step that which could have significant consequences for the whole WTO system," they stated in a letter to Trade Rep. Susan Schwab, that six other lawmakers had also signed.

The United States, is however trying to get agreements they have with the WTO changed to exempt online gaming from it, instead of trying to change their own legislation in removing the ban.

Instead of having to pay out compensation, Conyers and Frank, along with others that signed the letter, want to see the Bush administration exploring legislation that would roll back a U.S. ban on Internet gaming.

"We are writing to express our interest in considering possible legislative solution that might restore U.S. compliance with the GATS agreement without renouncing any of our commitments under the agreement," the letter says.