Texas capitulates

Lots of people, at various times recently, have pointed me at Texas HB 1937. This bill would have made the TSA's groping procedures illegal, at least in Texas. I didn't think the bill would ever become law, but I didn't think it would be because the Texas legislature would roll over at the first hint of resistance from the federal government.

"If HR [sic] 1937 were enacted, the federal government would likely seek an emergency stay of the statute," the letter read, on U.S. Department of Justice, Western District of Texas, stationery. "Unless or until such a stay were granted, TSA would likely be required to cancel any flight or series of flights for which it could not ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

stopaustinscanners.org sees the situation this way:

Let’s be absolutely clear here: the Federal Government just threatened to make Texas a no-fly zone if they can’t sexually assault us.

Nevertheless, the legislature folded:

Senate sponsor Dan Patrick (R-Houston) pulled down HB 1937. But he didn't pull it until after some firey rhetoric about the principles of the bill, as well as allegations that TSA representatives were "lobbying" the Texas Senate today. "I will pull HB 1937 down, but I will stand for Liberty in the state of Texas," Patrick said.

Classic political move: "I was for liberty before I was against it, but I'm still for it." Somebody should explain to Senator Patrick that you can't kill this bill and simultaneously claim to stand for liberty. The two are mutually exclusive. Jackass.