Corker Claims Ignorance of Immigration Bill's Vegas Kickback

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) appeared surprised when Breitbart News asked for his response about a handout to Las Vegas casinos slipped into the newly formed immigration bill.

Breitbart News‘ Matt Boyle first reported that on page 66 of the repackaged bill, the following provision shows:

“CORPORATION FOR TRAVEL PROMOTION.–Sec- 9(d)(2)(B) of the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (22 U.S.C. 2131(d)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ”For each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015,” and inserting ”For each fiscal year after 2012.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about–Las Vegas tourism,” Corker told Breitbart News when the subject of the sweeteners that were inserted in the bill was brought up. 

While the Las Vegas tourism provision was not in the Gang of Eight legislation that was originally introduced, it was included in the bil that was voted out of the Judiciary Committee, a Senate Republican aide noted.

Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) responded to Corker’s remark, telling Breitbart News he was “disappointed” with Corker’s lack of scrutiny on the bill.

“This is a very significant thing, because Senator Corker apparently thinks the only thing that went into the bill is his language and he said that’s easy to know, but they have produced an entire substitute of 1200 pages and there are lots of things in there and there are lots of thing that are affected by his amendment,” said Sessions.

(Editor’s note: This story has been updated to specify that the tourism provision was not included in the original version of the Gang of Eight bill.)