Harry Reid, a former chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, announced last week that he would not seek re-election as the senior senator from his state. Democrat Reid was Majority Leader of the Senate until this year, when the Republicans won the majority. Still, Reid has used his position as Minority Leader to keep the Democrats in line and fight off attempts by Republicans to repeal or soften many programs passed during the Obama administration.
For gaming, it’s a huge loss. Reid, 75, has been the industry’s most powerful advocate through the years, particularly for the Nevada branch. He fought the growth of tribal gaming until the major commercial companies got involved. He has battled against proposed legislation that would have harmed the industry. In the late 1990s, when Congress set up the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, designed to skewer the industry, he helped to mollify the impact by getting industry figures like the late Terry Lanni from MGM and UNITE HERE head John Wilhelm confirmed as members.
His relationship with industry leaders has been strong, even though they may have different overall political views. Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson, staunch conservatives, call Reid a friend.
American Gaming Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman recognized Reid’s importance to gaming.
“Senator Reid has been a tireless supporter of gaming who solidified Nevada and the industry’s significance across the country,” he said in a statement. “From his earliest days as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission to his years in the United States Senate, Senator Reid has been a visionary for what could be possible. The people of Nevada have been fortunate to have an unmatched champion in Senator Reid, whose leadership and dedication will be missed.”
Just prior to Reid’s announcement, a report was issued that demonstrated his power and influence. The report suggested that he pressured a high-ranking Department of Homeland Security official to fast-track visas for foreign investors of SLS Las Vegas. Inspector General John Roth’s report found that, “There was no basis for expediting the (visa) petitions.”
Reid and his people have been forthright, if nothing else. In a statement, Reid spokeswoman Kristen Orthman said, “This is just one in many examples of Senator Reid’s commitment to ensuring Nevada’s tourism industry continues to thrive.” This was one of three high-profile projects the inspector general investigated due to whistle blower complaints.
The SLS renovation consisted of $300 million invested by investment firm J.P. Morgan and $115 million through EB-5 visa financing. The EB-5 visa financing provided foreign nationals a method to obtain a green card through an investment in the U.S. The visas help foreign nationals acquire the green card as long as they invest at least $500,000 in a commercial enterprise, which guarantees the creation or saving of 10 or more full-time jobs.
Plenty of controversy surrounds the measure, with officials claiming it’s not unusual for lawmakers to go to the plate on behalf of the favored applicants. “Many employees concluded, not unreasonably, that the pressure exerted on them was because the individuals involved were politically connected,” the report said. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul has scheduled a hearing to review the report.
