Tampongate Revealed!

As folks filed into the Capitol today in anticipation of the Senate debate over the controversial abortion regulations measure, House Bill 2, security was tight, with extra Dept. of Public Safety troopers on hand. That seems logical. But then word came that they were hand-searching bags and confiscating tampons. What?

That's right: DPS was confiscating tampons, feminine pads and, in the interest of fairness, I guess, condoms.

Word that women were having their feminine products confiscated before they could enter the Senate gallery to watch the debate hit the Twitterverse like lead shot and black powder. Bang!

Shortly after the online explosion, the confiscations were called off – thanks, we're told, to the intervention of Austin Dem Sen. Kirk Watson who reportedly said that the idea that tampons should confiscated was "boneheaded" and "crazy."

We asked DPS whose decision it was, and why that decision was made. We didn't get a direct response, but instead received the statement below in a DPS email blast to media:

DPS Enhances Inspections at Texas Capitol

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today received information that individuals planned to use a variety of items or props to disrupt legislative proceedings at the Texas Capitol.

Therefore for safety purposes, DPS recommended to the State Preservation Board that all bags be inspected prior to allowing individuals to enter the Senate gallery, which the State Preservation Board authorized.

During these inspections, DPS officers have thus far discovered one jar suspected to contain urine, 18 jars suspected to contain feces, and three bottles suspected to contain paint. All of these items – as well as significant quantities of feminine hygiene products, glitter and confetti possessed by individuals – were required to be discarded; otherwise those individuals were denied entry into the gallery.

In the interest of the safety and security of Texas legislators and the general public, these inspections will continue until the conclusion of Senate business.