House Passes Joe Pickett's Federal Reserve rent-a-cop Bill

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1



With less than two days until the deadline to get bills out of their originating chamber, the Texas House just voted to approve the Federal Reserve law enforcement bill Jonathan Stickland knocked off the local and consent calendar two weeks ago; the bill would grant state of Texas law enforcement powers to commissioned security guards from the PRIVATE Federal Reserve bank..

While the result wasn't a surprise, the condescension with which bill author Joe Pickett (D- El Paso) defended his position was still a sight to behold.  Pickett claimed that opposition to his bill was solely motivated by opposition to the Federal Reserve.  Pickett also said his bill was limited in scope to property crimes (ie. graffiti) committed on Federal Reserve properties.

Stickland, joined by David Simpson, was concerned about the potential loophole language allowing security guards to use law enforcement powers when performing "operations by or on behalf of" the Federal Reserve.  Simpson explained how giving this sort of authority under the pretense of fighting graffiti is inherently dangerous.  Stickland compared this loophole to "a mack truck."

Unfortunately, but predictably, the bill passed.

31 members joined Stickland and Simpson in voting nay.