FIRST IN THE NATION: BILL TO BAN TSA GROPING Petition Texas Senators to co-sponsor and pass this legislation! Landmark legislation to stop the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from groping travelers without probable cause has passed an important vote in the Texas House. On the evening of May 12th HB 1937 was given unanimous approval by voice vote on second reading. HB 1937, authored by Representative David Simpson (R-Longview), is the first bill in the country that would actively restrict the TSA's intrusive screening practices to pass a legislative vote. "HB 1937 is a significant step forward in the protection of our constitutional and civil liberties," said Rep. Simpson. "Groping innocent citizens does little to enhance security but it does much to reduce our freedom and dignity. I am very thankful that members of both parties have joined together to defend our citizens' dignity against the TSA's egregious screening methods." HB 1937 would make it a criminal act for security personnel to touch a person's private areas without probable cause as a condition of travel or as a condition of entry into a public place. This bill is not intended to contravene any federal statutes currently in place. 94 Representatives-a near supermajority-have signed on to HB 1937 as either joint or coauthors, supporting Rep. Simpson's legislation. The bill will be voted on during third reading later today and then will proceed to the Texas Senate. Texas' efforts to stop the TSA from abusing travelers have attracted significant national and international attention from The Washington Post, MSNBC, Fox News, Drudge Report, The Guardian, USA Today, and others. Eight other states, including Alaska, Washington, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, also have legislation pending to protect travelers' dignity. New Jersey was the first state to file similar legislation. The Alaska House of Representatives became the first state to pass a resolution against TSA abuses back in March. For Texas and Liberty! Debbie McKee Interim State Coordinator
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Whereas the purpose of Government is to protect the liberties of the people; and
Whereas those liberties are protected by the Bill of Rights; and
Whereas the Right to Travel, the Right to Your Body, and the Right not to be Searched Unreasonably is protected by the Bill of Rights; and
Whereas the T.S.A.'s enhanced security measures are in violation of a person's Right to Travel, and Your Body; and
Whereas the T.S.A.'s enhanced security measures are in violation of the 4th Ammendment; and
Whereas the T.S.A.'s enhanced security measures fail to effectively enhance security, while demeaning citizens' rights; and
Whereas the State of Texas maintains its sovereignty under the 10th Amendment to the US Constitution and Article 1 Section 1 of the Texas Constitution;
Therefore, I urge you to co-sponsor legislation passed by the Texas House (HB 1937) to clarify that the touching of travelers' sexual areas without probable cause by T.S.A. or other security personnel is illegal activity; and to effectively ban offensive pat-downs and full-body scanner technologies within the domain of the State of Texas when no probable cause is found; and to subject all security personnel to the rule of law, and to be held equally accountable for their actions, in the manner of a free and civil society.
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