Governor Perry Shirks Responsibility on Anti-TSA Groping Bills

Editors Note: The video below contains an interchange between Governor Rick Perry and Wesley Strackbein concerning the Anti-TSA groping bill. This exchange took place on the morning of June 18, 2011 at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans during a public signing of Governor Perry’s book, Fed UP! Our Fight to Save America from Washington. During questioning, the Governor dodges responsibility for the TSA legislation not making its way into the special session as he asserts there is not sufficient support on either side of the house. And after being challenged on that assertion, the Governor suggests that there is not time to pass the bills. But, he alone governs the schedule of the special session before Texas. Governor Perry goes on to deliver a speech which strains credulity as one considers his own neglect to preserve the Fourth Amendment rights of the citizens of Texas. His call to restrain Washington seems void of action in his own state over issues of the TSA.

Either Governor Perry is grossly misinformed, or he is misrepresenting the facts. Both sides of the House have the votes and the special session is currently scheduled to run through the end of the month, June 30, 2011.

HERE ARE THE FACTS:

The Special Session

On May 30, 2011, Texas Governor Rick Perry announced a special session which did not include the Anti-TSA Groping legislation. On May 31, Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst sent a letter to the governor that said: “Special Session ? I believe that it would be in the best interest of all Texans to start tomorrow and ask you to consider including the following bills in your call:” Lt. Governor Dewhurst’s request included the itemized listing of: “HB 1937 – Relating to prosecution and punishment for the offense of official oppression by the intrusive touching of persons seeking access to public buildings and transportation.”

Lt. Governor Dewhurst concluded his letter by informing Governor Perry that only a simple majority vote will be required to pass bills during the special session:

“As you know, certain Senate procedures — such as the two-thirds tradition — exist to bring Democrats and Republicans together, encouraging Members to work in good faith in order to achieve positive outcomes for the people of Texas. Given that a small number of Senate Democrats have demonstrated their unwillingness to find consensus on these important legislative items, I can see no other alternative than to operate under a simple majority vote in the Special Session.”

More than a simple majority of our Texas representatives and senators now support the Anti-TSA Groping legislation, which means that HB 41 (formerly HB 1937) and SB 29 will pass if these bills are brought before the special session by Governor Rick Perry. But we must act quickly to tell the governor the support he has been waiting for is now there—before the special session ends.

Governor Perry Says He Will Bring HB 41 and SB 29 Before the Special Session If He Believes They Will Pass!

The Waco Tea Party reported that, during a May 31 conference call with Governor Perry regarding the special session, Governor Perry indicated he will only bring the Anti-TSA Groping bills before the special session if it is clear the bills will pass. At this point we have clear support for these bills in both the House and the Senate. Now we must ensure that Lt. Governor Dewhurst and Governor Perry are aware of this simple majority support and urge them to bring these bills before the special session!

Both Houses Have Sufficient Support to Pass Their Bills if They are Brought to the Special Session

Rep. David Simpson, author of the Anti-TSA Groping Bill in the Texas House, has confirmed 112 coauthors for his proposed special session bill HB 41 (formerly HB 1937) — far more than enough support to pass this bill.

On Wednesday, June 15, Senator Dan Patrick was reported as having submitted a formal request to Governor Perry indicating that he has the votes!

Conclusions:

Governor Perry needs to keep his word – the word he gave during the conference call which the Waco, TX T.E.A. party participated in. Texas has sufficient votes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Will Governor Perry act in accordance with his book FED UP! and seek to restrain the out-of-control powers in Washington as they strip citizens of their constitutionally protected Fourth Amendment rights? Or will he sit idly by and do nothing?

Call the Governor and find out: (512) 463-2000; (800) 252-9600.