Originally Posted by greentips

It is the way things were, not as they are. The people did speak. The people spoke in 1789 and 1974 and demanded that the Government operate in open light of day and within very clearly defined limits. Its present president promised open government operating not under the cover of darkness and secrecy, but in the clear light of open exchange of information and transparence. The majority of citizens have serious problems with the government's failure to operate in the open and with its actions in obfuscating these matters.

There is an important distinction. The people, in panic, spoke hastily and created your agency and DHS, its master. The nation had high hopes that this would strengthen our ability to deal with the root causes. We, the people, failed in creating your agencies. The old saw: Act in haste, repent in leisure has never been more true. It is our fault. Not yours. We must correct our hasty actions and we will.

HR 2200, the TSA Reauthorization Act, passed by the House last summer, had a number of provisions to curtail some of the more obvious and egregious abuses of citizens and businesses by your agency.

Included in these are:
Amdt 2: Limits the ability of TSA to bypass the Administrative Procedures act by limiting the duration of security directives to less than 180 days unless an NPRM has been issued for public comment, effectively ending "secret/sensitive security information" based rules and procedures.

Amdt 3: Established procedures for "alternative screening procedures" for individuals with TS clearances.

Amdt 4: Expedited screening for members of the Armed Services under orders and their families.

Amdt 5: Orders TSA to report to Congress within 6 months, complaints and claims against the TSA for loss of passenger property.

Amdt 8: Directs the TSA to use risk based competitive bidding on new grant programs, and if they fail to do so, requires the TSA head to explain to Congress why.

Amdt 10: Prohibits the use of WBI and requires TSA to provide Opt-Out as a matter of law. Further prohibits TSA from storing/copying/transferring images.

Amdt 12: Requires the TSA to begin an canine air cargo screening program.

TSORon,
This bill passed the House by a vote of 397-25. It has not yet been passed by the Senate, but only because other business kept the Senate occupied. But a bill with those amendments passing by that great a majority will likely be passed in similar form in the 112th Congress and the Senate will have more time to consider what it wants to do with your agency. Like an errant child, Congress has had to repeatedly remind your masters what their true mission is, and like a recalcitrant child, your agency persistently fails to listen and take corrective actions.

The people are about to speak again.