Texas Anti-Groping Bill Moving Ahead Despite TSA Changes

Editor’s Note: Something foul is in the air. Proposed changes to the TSA Anti-Groping bills, urged by Lt. Gov. Dewhurst through the Attorney General’s office, may strip this legislation of its teeth.

Dan Rodriguez, a professor who specializes in state and federal constitutional law at the University of Texas at Austin asserts that if these changes are made:

“It’s just a statute that really has no important, practical purpose.”

Call the Transportation & Homeland Security Committee members and urge them to protect our Fourth Amendment rights against the invasive pat-downs of the TSA. Urge them to protect our liberties by preserving rigorous wording in this legislation that will truly hold the TSA accountable for its actions. Contact all senators and urge them to protect your Fourth Amendment rights by defending the people of Texas against search and seizure without probable cause.

Lawmaker says TSA has made a step in the right direction.

By Peggy Fikac
pfikac@express-news.net

AUSTIN — Lawmakers pushing a bill to ban invasive searches of airline passengers without a reason to think they have committed an offense said Wednesday they were steaming ahead despite a decision by the federal Transportation Security Administration to reduce pat-downs of children.

“That’s a step in the right direction,” said Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, but he said he plans to go forward with his bill, which is scheduled to be considered by the House on Friday. “This legislation is going to protect people’s dignity, and it’s an effort to protect their freedom to travel.”

Sen. Dan Patrick, the Houston Republican carrying the measure in the Senate, said backers’ goal has been for the TSA “to listen to the people and address this policy.”

“If fighting the federal government with our legislation resulted in this change, then that is our first victory,” Patrick said by email. “They now need to end this procedure for the remaining 2 percent of the flying public who could still be subjected to it.”TSA said in a statement that planned changes regarding pat-downs would “give security officers more options for resolving screening anomalies with young children” and that it is working to implement the decision in airports.

TSA spokesman Luis Casanova said it’s had a “modified pat-down” for children under 12 and that Administrator John Pistole is talking about further changes. Casanosa said the process is being designed and would be implemented “in the very near future,” but could give no more details.

“This decision will ultimately reduce — though not eliminate — pat downs of children,” the TSA statement said.