Washington, Nov 23 -

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week U.S. Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) cosponsored H.R. 6416, The American Traveler Dignity Act of 2010, introduced by Congressman Ron Paul (TX-14).  The bill comes in response to the public outcry over new intrusive federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening requirements for air travelers.  H.R. 6416 would establish that airport security screeners are not immune from any US statute prohibiting unlawful physical contact with another person, making images of another person, or causing physical harm through the use of radiation-emitting machinery on another person.  In short, it would make federal workers subject to the same laws as all other Americans. 

“The federal government needs to be held accountable,” said Jones.  “The new TSA procedures are just the latest example of the government intruding further into our personal lives and violating our privacy.  If a private citizen groped or took nude photographs of another citizen, they’d be arrested.  So why should TSA have free reign to do these things to people and trample our constitutional rights in the process?  Law-abiding citizens don’t need to be fondled in order to preserve our freedom.”