James A. Leach: “Mr. Speaker, I would first say with regard to the words that have been brought to us today that this is an important…”

“Mr. Speaker, I would first say with regard to the words that have been brought to us today that this is an important provision in law to bring a money laundering statute into being. Following the money is the most effective way of tracking criminal activity of a given nature. It also serves as a deterrent to crime. When we first looked at this in the last several years, the main emphasis has been on narco-trafficking; but clearly with regard to terrorism, it is an important ingredient. But it is with some disappointment that I must say that I am amazed and startled to learn that the provision of the bill that relates to Internet gambling has been removed by leadership. And I would only as strongly as I can say that I consider this to be an affront to the committee. I also consider it to be an assault on basic judgment. I would hope that there would be a greater courage and greater will in this body on this issue of Internet gambling. We are at one of the last moments if there is any hope whatsoever of trying to put a curb on something that is very destructive to the economy and very difficult for individual human beings. And a footnote to the Internet gambling issue is that gambling is one of the great techniques of laundering money. We have to put a footprint down now to stop this form of money laundering and stop the kinds of things that affect so many American individuals.”