Congressman: Body scanners violate the Fourth Amendment

Earlier this week, the New Jersey state legislature passed a near-unanimous resolution urging the House of Representatives to launch a investigation into the user of full-body scanners at American airports.  The resolution, which was passed with the consent of both the majority Democratic and minority Republican caucuses, was critical of both the health risks associated with the technology and the overly-invasive nature of the pat-downs given to those declining to be scanned.
Yesterday on floor of the House of Representatives Texas Congressman Ted Poe alleged that the over-the-top body searches being carried out at many airports violates the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, namely that:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized".

It would be fair to say that the debate about body scanners is at a much more advanced stage in the United States than here in Britain, particularly as public awareness of the health implications of boydy scanners increases and the intrusive nature of pat-downs rises.  At Big Brother Watch, we look forward to contributing to ever-advancing debate in the UK in the coming months.
By Daniel Hamilton.