FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Numerous major airports across the nation are declining to display a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In this video, she attributes the federal government shutdown and its repercussions on TSA operations to Democrats, citing its political nature as the reason for the refusal.
Airports in locations such as New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, and Seattle, among others, cite airport policies or rules that forbid political messages within their premises as the basis for not showing the video.
Various government bodies have communicated to employees and posted on websites language that holds Democrats responsible for the shutdown. Some specialists suggest this may violate the 1939 Hatch Act, which limits certain political actions by federal workers.
The shutdown has disrupted regular functions and thrown airports into a frenzy dealing with flight interruptions. Democrats insist any agreement to end the shutdown must address their healthcare requirements, while Republicans demand a resolution to fund the government first. Without an extension of the subsidy payments before they lapse on December 31, insurance premiums are expected to double.
In the video, Noem says that TSA’s “top priority” is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers safe.
“Nevertheless, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, impacting many operations and requiring most TSA employees to work without compensation,” Noem states.
The TSA is a part of the Department of Homeland Security. Approximately 61,000 out of 64,130 employees are mandated to continue their duties during the shutdown. The Department announced on Friday that the video is being distributed to airports nationwide.
A DHS spokeswoman responded to a request for comment restating some of the message from Noem’s video.
“It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government,” spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates JFK International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, said it would not air the videos, citing rules against “politically partisan messages.”
The Chicago Department of Aviation said advertising and public service announcements must follow guidelines that “prohibit content that endorses or opposes any named political party.” The Harry Reid International Airport, in Las Vegas, said it had to “remain mindful of the Hatch Act’s restrictions.”
“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,” the statement said.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said the county north of New York City won’t play the video at its local airport. In a statement, he called the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials,” and said its tone is “unnecessarily alarmist” as it relates to operations at Westchester County Airport.
“At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, collaboration and preparedness, this type of messaging only distracts from the real issues, and undermines public trust,” he said.
Even in red states, airports weren’t showing the video for various reasons. Salt Lake City International Airport wasn’t playing the video because state law prohibits using city-owned property for political purposes, said airport spokesperson Nancy Volmer.
The airport in Billings, Montana, “politely declined” even though it has screens that could show the video with audio, assistant aviation director Paul Khera said Tuesday.
“We don’t want to get in the middle of partisan politics,” Khera said. “We like to stay middle of the road, we didn’t want to play that video.” ___
Associated Press writers Rio Yamat in Las Vegas and Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colo. contributed to this report.
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