TSA agents are beginning to speak out in the name of their own safety–as well they should! The scanners have not been properly tested according to the standards applied to all other health-related machinery.

Susie Castillo is being given a citizen activist award for her work to publicize the TSA’s abuses of innocent travelers. Ralph Nader and a spokesman from EPIC talk about their recent work exposing the health hazards and legal ramifications of the TSA’s actions.

Given that the police are the only ones with guns or the ability to arrest someone, wouldn’t it make sense to tell them before you stage a drill with a fake terrorist carrying a fake bomb through security?

FIRST IN THE NATION: BILL TO BAN TSA GROPING
PASSES IMPORTANT VOTE IN TEXAS HOUSE

HB 1937, Which Bans Intrusive Groping of Travelers, Passed Second Reading in the Texas House of Representatives

(Austin) – Landmark [...]]]> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2011
Contact: Kathi Seay, Office of State Representative David Simpson, 512-463-0750, Kathi.Seay@house.state.tx.us

FIRST IN THE NATION: BILL TO BAN TSA GROPING
PASSES IMPORTANT VOTE IN TEXAS HOUSE

HB 1937, Which Bans Intrusive Groping of Travelers, Passed Second Reading in the Texas House of Representatives

(Austin) – Landmark legislation to stop the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from groping travelers without probable cause has passed an important vote in the Texas House. Last night 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.

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http://www.reddirtreport.com/Story.aspx/18375

May 4, 2011

Contact: Kathi Seay, Office of State Representative David Simpson, 512-463-0750, Kathi.Seay@house.state.tx.us

TEXAS TSA LEGISLATION ATTRACTS CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT, MAJORITY OF TEXAS HOUSE

US Congressmen and 80 Texas State Representatives Call for Defense of Traveler Dignity Against TSA Abuses

(Austin) – This week several Texas Congressmen [...]]]> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 4, 2011

Contact: Kathi Seay, Office of State Representative David Simpson, 512-463-0750, Kathi.Seay@house.state.tx.us

TEXAS TSA LEGISLATION ATTRACTS CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT, MAJORITY OF TEXAS HOUSE

US Congressmen and 80 Texas State Representatives Call for Defense of Traveler Dignity Against TSA Abuses

(Austin) – This week several Texas Congressmen announced their support for State Rep. David Simpson’s legislation to rein in abuses by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  HB 1937, the most popular bill, is now endorsed by a majority of the Texas House. Over the past few months, a chorus of voices from both parties and all areas of the country have joined the call to defend travelers against overly invasive methods employed recently by the TSA, including “virtual strip searches” with whole-body scanners and intrusive groping searches of the whole body including genital areas.

“Our citizens are forced to undergo unconscionable procedures at the hands of the TSA. The fact that someone is traveling is not justification to submit them to humiliating and unconstitutional invasions of their privacy. I am glad to support the efforts of Rep. David Simpson and his co-authors in the Texas Legislature to stop the TSA’s abuses,” said Congressman John Carter

Congressman Louie Gohmert addressed personal privacy and security concerns. “Texas State Representative David Simpson is taking a stand for the people of Texas. Security is essential when traveling; however, airport full body scans invade very personal privacy bounds without a warrant, without probable cause, are offensive, and yet would not even detect some dangerous things. It is important that we balance individual privacy and security. Rep. Simpson is simply trying to address the issue and I applaud him for his effort.”

Congressman Ron Paul also joined in support.  “Texans are so sick and tired of an out-of-control TSA poking, prodding and violating us that they are demanding action. I applaud David Simpson for his leadership on this issue and enthusiastically endorse his efforts.”

National attention was focused on TSA overreach again this past week when former Miss USA Susie Castillo recounted her undignified experience at the hands of a TSA agent during a full-body pat down. Across the country momentum is building to oppose “security” methods that are overly intrusive and largely ineffective. To this point nine states, including Alaska, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, have legislation pending to reign in the TSA and other security agencies from violating travelers’ dignity.

80 Representatives—a majority of the House—have signed on as joint or co-authors of HB 1937.  HB 1937 has been favorably reported out of the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and is awaiting placement on the General Calendar.  HB 1938 received exclusively favorable testimony in the Committee on Transportation and is awaiting a vote.

HB 1937 would prohibit the use of indecent groping searches of a traveler’s private parts. HB 1938 would prohibit the use of full body scanners that use backscatter x-rays or millimeter waves to create a visual image of a person’s unclothed body.  Both provide exceptions for probable cause or express informed consent. Fines would be imposed against violators and state and local authorities would be given authority to enforce the law and to collect the fines.

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It comes after Susie Castillo’s very unfortunate and highly indecent experience quite literally at the hands of the TSA.  We are very sorry that Ms. Castillo had to go through such an awful procedure. [...]]]> The nation’s most influential news aggregator, DrudgeReport.com, picked up a second story on our TSA legislation here in Texas!

It comes after Susie Castillo’s very unfortunate and highly indecent experience quite literally at the hands of the TSA.  We are very sorry that Ms. Castillo had to go through such an awful procedure.  For the sake of thousands of travelers across the country, though, we are very appreciative of her willingness to share her story to bring more awareness to the issue.

National attention to TSA abuses is growing–as is the number of states who are considering legislation similar to ours.

Join with us to defend traveler dignity against the abusive and ineffective methods that the TSA has employed!

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