Ron Paul’s economic plan targets TSA

Rep. Ron Paul’s plan to “restore America” includes abolishing the Transportation Security Administration.

Paul, a Republican presidential candidate and a lawmaker from Texas, is a longtime critic of TSA who has suggested eliminating the airport security agency before. His new economic plan would get rid of TSA as well as five Cabinet-level agencies, which Paul says will save the U.S. government $1 trillion.

Instead of having a TSA, Paul’s campaign said he was in favor of “returning responsibility for security to private property owners.”

{mosads}In a recent GOP debate, Paul said airlines could protect flights better than a “federal bureaucracy.” He also accused the agency of humiliating women, molesting children and abusing disabled people in a radio address this summer. 

“If the perpetrators were a gang of criminals, their headquarters would be raided by SWAT teams and armed federal agents,” Paul said on a July edition of his weekly “Texas Straight Talk” audio address.

“Unfortunately, in this case, the perpetrators are armed federal agents,” he continued. 

TSA, which was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacks and is housed in the Department of Homeland Security, declined to comment on Paul’s proposal Tuesday. 

Conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh has said he would be in favor of Paul’s proposal.

On his show Tuesday, Limbaugh said “Ron Paul has a good idea,” when a caller asked about Paul’s proposals. 

The other agency that would be eliminated under Paul’s proposal are the departments of Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Interior and Education. 

—This post was updated at 4:26 p.m.