Multiple major U.S. airports are refusing to air a video showing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats in Congress for the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The Transportation Security Administration sent requests to airports to air the video on screens near security lines.
Noem in the video says, “It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe,” according to MSNBC.
“However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” says Noem, whose department oversees the TSA.
Some airports that refused to show Noem’s video cited its political nature, with a few directly pointing to the Hatch Act, which prohibits certain political activities by government employees.
The airports that refused to show Noem’s video include the three major airports in the New York City area — John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in Queens, and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
“The Port Authority’s longstanding policies prevent airing of politically partisan messages at our facilities, so airports are not airing the video on airport-controlled screens,” said a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates those three airports.
A spokesperson for the Port of Seattle, which operates Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, in a statement, said, “The Port of Seattle will not play the video on its screens at SEA Airport, due to the political nature of the content.”
“We continue to urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown and are working to find ways to support federal employees working without pay at SEA during the shutdown,” the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for Charlotte Douglas International Airport said, North Carolina municipal law as well as CLT Airport’s policy for digital content do not permit the referenced video.”
“Additionally, TSA does not own any monitors at the airport’s checkpoints,” the spokesperson said. “The limited digital screens owned by CLT are designated for static content that supports wayfinding, provides essential travel information and promotes CLT’s revenue-generating services.”
Spokespeople for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas said those facilities declined to post the video because of policies barring political content.
“Per airport regulations, the terminals and surrounding areas are not designated public forums, and the airport’s intent is to avoid the use of the facility for political or religious advocacy,” a spokesperson for Harry Reid International said.
“Additionally, as a facility that hosts federal operations, we remain mindful of the Hatch Act’s restrictions on political activity in government workplaces. We remain committed to providing travelers with clear information that supports a smooth and efficient screening process.”
The Port of Portland, which operates Portland International Airport in Oregon, received a request from TSA to show Noem’s video message about the shutdown. “However, we did not consent to playing the video in its current form, as we believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging,” Molly Prescott, aviation communications manager for the Port told CNBC by email.
“Additionally, Oregon law states no public employee can promote or oppose any political committee, party, or affiliation. We believe consenting to playing this video on Port assets would violate Oregon law.”
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has reportedly refused to show Noem’s video. CNBC has reached out to representatives for the airport.
In a statement to CNBC, Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, reiterated comments that Noem made on the video.
“While this creates challenges for our people, our security operations remain largely unimpacted at this time,” McLaughlin added.
“It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship,” she said.
“Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
A shortage of air traffic controllers during the government shutdown has caused flight delays and disruptions, CNBC reported last week.
On Friday, airlines told travelers to brace for delays over the Columbus Day holiday weekend due to staffing shortages.
Last week, delayed flights occurred across the U.S. at airports including Burbank, California, and Nashville, Tennessee. Bad weather was also expected to contribute to the delays.
Air travel was snarled during the more than monthlong government shutdown that ended in January 2019, hours after a shortfall of air traffic controllers disrupted flights in the New York area.
Before that, some airport security checkpoints were closed due to elevated sick calls from Transportation Security Administration screeners who are also working without pay.
On Tuesday, air traffic controllers received their first partial paycheck. If the shutdown continues, they will miss a full paycheck on Oct. 28.
The government shutdown began Oct. 1 after the Senate failed to pass stopgap funding measures that would have maintained normal operations, at least for a while.
Republicans, who hold a majority in the Senate, want to approve a so-called clean resolution passed by the House that would provide only short-term funding. Democrats insist that any such continuing resolution include a provision to extend the life of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Those credits, which are due to expire at the end of 2025, lower the cost of health insurance for 22 million Americans who purchase plans from Obamacare marketplaces.
The Senate is expected to vote again on Tuesday on funding resolutions, which have little chance of passing.
