I know that the house cannot fillibuster, but it was those two con men who "forced" the TSA upon us.

The reasoning behind this thought is easy:

In the hysteria following 9/11, the public was demanding that congress "Do Something". The Republican Leadership had a viable plan that did NOT include federal employees. Enter Daschle and Gephardt, they threatened to fillibuster in the Senate any bill that did not include federal screeners. They also threatened to portray the Republicans as doing "nothing" in the wake of 9/11 if the bill did not include federal screeners. The Republicans were in a no-win situation, the Democrats knew it and took advantage of it.

So, yes it was these two jackasses who are responsible for the TSA.

In addition to that, Daschle included language very favorable to the company that employed his wife. That language forced the TSA to purchase inferior equipment from his wife's employer.