(April 25, 2012 -- Washington D.C.)  Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today delivered remarks on the House floor to announce new legislation she plans to introduce that will permanently eliminate the Bush era "blacklist" of American cities like Las Vegas and Reno from hosting federal agency and executive branch department conferences and conventions.  Berkley's speech can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/user/ShelleyBerkley and a transcript of her remarks appears below:

 

"Madame. Speaker, despite the fact that President Obama took swift action to punish those responsible for the outrageous abuse at the GSA, some in Washington like the junior Senator from Kentucky are looking to score cheap political points by attacking Las Vegas and Nevada's tourism industry.

 

"These Republicans are trying to bring back the last Administration's so-called "blacklist" of resort cities like Las Vegas and Reno -- prohibiting federal agencies from traveling to hold conferences and seminars.

 

"This policy has damaged the reputation of my State, hurt our economy and killed jobs.

 

"Thanks to President Obama, this "blacklist" was lifted and the discrimination against Las Vegas and Reno was ended.  It's time that we make this policy permanent.

 

"And that's why I am going to introduce legislation to prohibit the blacklisting of any city in America.

 

"This means discrimination against American cities like Las Vegas and Reno will be illegal.

 

"Las Vegas wasn't the problem, the irresponsible behavior of the GSA was.

 

"I urge my colleagues to stand up for jobs and join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation."