First of all, I'm very sorry this had to happen to you. What happened to you wasn't right at all, and it makes me mad to think they'd threaten you to miss your flight because you were complaining about how they were handling your baggage. It's your baggage, and they need to treat it properly. YOU were the one who paid for the security screening, so therefore you have a right to make sure they treat your stuff properly.

What I would do in this situation: I would complain to both TSA and my airline, letting them know what happened, and I would also call the FSD at BWI and let them know of what happened. I would also, as you plan to, contact my Congressperson's office and let them know too. Finally, I would avoid BWI at all costs.

However, I would NOT cave in until I got results. This is still America, and you have a right to be treated in a dignified manner.

Andrew