Jun 29, 2011

Bill to criminalize intrusive TSA pat-downs dies in Texas House

By Douglas Stanglin, USA TODAY
Updated 5h 52m ago

By LM Otero, APA bill that would have criminalized intrusive TSA pat-downs died today in the Texas House when members declined to take up a tougher Senate version, the Texas Tribune reports.

Each chamber had approved its own version of the bill during this special session, with the Senate's version viewed as tougher.

Some Democrats argued that the bill unfairly targeted the TSA, while some House Republicans said the stricter bill might not withstand a challenge from the Department of Justice.

At one point during debate last week, House Speaker Joe Straus, a Republican, called the bill a publicity stunt.

The Legislature failed to pass an anti-groping measure during the legislature's normal session, prompting Gov. Rick Perry to add it to the agenda for the special session.

The anti-groping issue stirred up passionate support in some quarters, with backers denouncing some lawmakers as "traitors" who sought to soften the measure.

After the measure died, the chief sponsor, Rep. David Simpson, a Republican, lashed out at his colleagues, denouncing "phony politicians" who credit for bills they try to kill, the Houston Chronicle reports.

"It is time that we stand up for individual rights," Simpson said. "Not just state rights."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... as-house/1