LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas has been blacklisted as a destination for federal government conferences.

The story surfaced in a Wall Street Journal article on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Sen. Harry Reid said don't blame the Obama administration for the government travel restrictions to resort destinations like Las Vegas.

Reid said the policy came from the Bush administration. Holding nearly 50 pages of e-mails and memos, Reid explained.

“I have here two memos both from the Bush White House, the Bush Justice Department saying, ‘Don't bring people to Reno or Las Vegas and Atlantic City,'” Reid said.

Those memos, dated April 2006 and April 2008, state that certain destinations like Las Vegas need to be approved as conference destinations.

Reid said President Barack Obama is getting a bad rap for the so-called blacklisting of Las Vegas.

“Obama should be taken off the chopping block like some people are trying to do in Nevada,” Reid said.

Wherever the blame lies, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said the point is being missed.

“When you see the facts, Vegas is the best place to be,” said Vince Alberta, of the LVCVA.

Alberta said dollar for dollar, those who are canceling or taking their conferences elsewhere, whether it is the federal government or private business, they are paying more than they would in Las Vegas.

“Vegas right now is the best value you will find. You have world class hotels, world class meeting spaces, and our room rate right now is less than $100,” Alberta said.

Reid said that whatever the policy was under George W. Bush, it doesn't apply anymore.

“President Obama has reversed the policy,” Reid said.

Mayor Oscar Goodman was in Denver Thursday, but he released this statement:

“I have been in contact with the White House, and I’m working with Sen. Harry Reid to resolve the situation in a way that is favorable to Las Vegas.”

The true litmus test as to whether or not this policy has been overturned will only be seen if and when another federal government agency books a conference in Las Vegas.