TSA Confiscates Food Stamp Challenge Participant Ryan's PBJ

Peanut Butter and Jelly a Potential Threat to Flying Public

In an unexpected turn of events, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), one of four U.S. Congress members participating in the Food Stamp Challenge by living on $21 for one week, has only cornmeal and whatever he can scrounge up for his last $.33 to live on for Sunday and Monday.

Late Saturday night, Representative Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) reported on his blog, "You aren't going to believe this, but all I have left is cornmeal." In a humorous twist, it wasn't a food binge that thwarted his careful rationing to make sure he had enough food until Monday. No, it was the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As he went through security at Manchester (New Hampshire) Airport, those denizens of security deemed his peanut butter and jelly a potential safety threat and whisked it out of his travel bag. It seems the Congressman, in his haste to make his flight, inadvertently violated the 3-1-1 rule: only one 3 oz. container of liquids or 1 one-quart ziploc bag in a carry-on bag per passenger. Had he scooped his peanut butter into a one-quart baggie or placed it in check-in luggage, he wouldn't have run afoul of the rule. But he did run afoul of the rule, his food was confiscated, and he was left with cornmeal and his reserve of $.33 to get through Sunday and Monday.

Congressman Ryan has faced his loss with good humor, calling it a "Murphy's Law moment" in his blog and noting that his experience highlights the excellent job the TSA is doing protecting our nation's airports. He noted on his blog that his experience demonstrates that even members of the U.S. Congress don't get special treatment when it comes to airport security.

Meanwhile Lisa McGovern, wife of Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) reported on their blog, foodstampchallenge.typepad.com, fork whipping an egg with water to stretch it and adding cheese to create a meal her son insists "looks like barf."