Anti-groping bill grounded Because ‘it appears to be a publicity stunt’
A Tea Party-backed measure to ban invasive pat-downs at Texas airports appears to be grounded once again.
House Speaker Joe Straus single-handedly derailed that invasive pat down ban Friday morning.
“I’m not going to give up ‘til the Good Lord takes me home,” said State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, who sponsored the legislation in the regular session and in the current special session.
The pat-down ban became a favorite piece of legislation for Libertarian activists and Tea Party legislators. It also had bipartisan support. Simpson collected signatures from more than 100 legislators, both Republicans and Democrats.
“I think Texans will be disappointed that we don’t have the leadership to stand up to federal tyranny,” Simpson said.
As leader of the House, though, Straus made it clear to reporters where he stands. Under House rules, TV cameras were not allowed to participate in the interview which took place on the House floor. A recording was provided to us by the Speaker’s Press Office.
“(It) appears to me to be nothing more than an ill-advised publicity stunt,” Straus said.