John McCain and Harry Reid pushing bill to legislate boxing

Quote :

Two senators are pushing legislation to establish oversight of professional boxing after Timothy Bradley's controversial split decision over Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight title bout.

Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada introduced legislation Monday that would create the U.S. Boxing Commission. McCain said it would bring integrity to the sport and avoid the conflicts of interest that have fans challenging the outcome of fights.

Earlier this month in Las Vegas, Pacquiao seemed to have the win in hand, but two judges decided otherwise, giving Bradley the split decision. It ended Pacquiao's seven-year unbeaten run.

McCain said that fight only fueled what he called "the legitimate distrust boxing fans have for the integrity of the sport."

The commission would oversee all boxing matches.

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/8069579/senators-pushing-legislation-battle-fraud-boxing

Why are we supposed to believe that a federal commission is more trustworthy than a state commission? The names Harry Reid and John McCain already make this as shady as any state commission.

McCain's been trying to do this for many years and it goes no where.

2002 to present – Noting that boxing is the only major professional sport in the
U.S. without a national oversight or centralized league, Senator McCain
introduced bills during the 107th, 108th, 109th, 110th and 111th sessions of
Congress (“Professional Boxing Amendments Act”) providing for a “United
States Boxing Commission” which would ensure state (tribal) autonomy while
providing a national oversight to ensure uniformity and effective enforcement

107th Congress - the Senate Commerce Committee reported (approved)
the bill unanimously to the Senate on October 17, 2002; however, no further
action taken

108th Congress – Senate passed bill unanimously on March 31, 2004;
House of Representatives did not act on the bill (“died” in committees)

109th Congress – Senate again passed bill unanimously. On November 16,
2005, on the floor of the House, bill passed by “roll call” vote (to become
law upon President’s signing). However, upon a demand for a “roll call”
vote, House chamber emptied; upon reconvening, “roll call” vote was 190
“for”, 233 “against”, 10 present but not voting (a difference of 22 “swing”
votes of the 423 Representatives voting via roll call) causing the bill to fail

110th Congress (2007) – again, the Senate Commerce Committee reported
(approved) the bill unanimously to the Senate; however, the Senate did not
take action on the measure; “cross-filed” bill in House – bill died in
Committee

111th Congress (2009) - again, the Senate Commerce Committee reported
(approved) the bill unanimously to the Senate; however, the Senate did not
take action on the measure; “cross-filed” bill in House – bill died in
Committee