Text of H.R. 3011 Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act of 2011

GovTrack.us ^ | September 22, 2011 | Mr. ROGERS of Alabama (for himself, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California, etc

[Immerito]

SEC. 295. PROTECTION OF THE NAMES FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL AND ADMINISTRATION.

Section 709 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by inserting ‘or’ after the semicolon at the end of the fourteenth undesignated paragraph; and

(2) by inserting after such paragraph the following new paragraph:

‘Whoever, except with the written permission of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Security (or the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service for issues involving the Federal Air Marshal Service), knowingly uses the words ‘Transportation Security Administration’, ‘United States Transportation Security Administration’, ‘Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘United States Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘Federal Air Marshals’, the initials ‘T.S.A.’, ‘F.A.M.S.’, ‘F.A.M.’, or any colorable imitation of such words or initials, or the likeness of a Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service badge, logo, or insignia on any item of apparel, in connection with any advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or with any play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, in a matter that is reasonably calculated to convey the impression that the wearer of the item of apparel is acting pursuant to the legal authority of the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service, or to convey the impression that such advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or such play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service;’.

[Immerito]

How nice. If you publish satire about Agents of the State, they'll be able to prosecute you.

[Cowgirl of Justice]

We need adults back in the White House.

[Immerito]

Adults in the White House won’t help us with Republicans proposing this nonsense in the House of Representatives.

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

Our tax dollars at work ;( Any question why we’re 77 trillion dollars in the hole?

[madison10]

What are the Republicans thinking?!? Give any of those commies an inch they’ll stop ANY criticism of any official for ANY reason. Where’s the freedom of expression, speech,etc.? We cannot allow such a law on the books.

[Prospero]

I hear you on the adults, but I'd settle for our employees being something other than plain stupid.

I'm rather inclined to agree with Ann Barnhardt on that topic. It's a Biblical Curse to be ruled by capricious children, but these apparent fools are capricious and deliberately ignorant people.

[PENANCE]

Where is the word "satire" in this bill?

It is a prohibition against IMPERSONATING LAW ENFORCEMENT -- a thing already illegal pretty much anywhere.

READ the language excerpted, don't just take someone's word that it "bans satire", ... it doesn't.

I loathe the TSA and want them disbanded. I am also totally paranoid about any govt overreach that infringes on ANY rights, including Freedom of Speech. BUT ....... this ain't it.

[PENANCE]

THIS is the important slice to take note of:

in a matter that is reasonably calculated to convey the impression that the wearer of the item of apparel is acting pursuant to the legal authority of the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) or Federal Air Marshal Service.