Texas Rep. Files Bill To Make TSA Pat-Downs A Felony

AUSTIN (1080 KRLD) - A Texas lawmaker wants to make full body searches at the airport illegal in the Lone Star State.

Representative David Simpson (R) of Longview says the TSA security searches, or "pat-downs", have escalated to the point where they are a violation of the 4th Amendment of the US Constitution.  "Don't touch someone's private parts," says Simpson, "either through clothing or directly.  Reasonable people find that offensive, and I think even the TSA agents themselves are being dehumanized."

Simpson has filed House Bill 1937 which would make the enhanced searches a state crime and the agents who perform them could be charged with a felony.

Simpson also thinks the full-body x-ray scanning machines are just as bad.  He has filed another bill, House Bill 1938,  that would ban them from use in airports across Texas.

Rep. Simpson on 1080 KRLD - Part 1

Rep. Simpson on 1080 KRLD - Part 2