FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Airports vast and tiny across the country are refusing to play a video featuring a message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impact on the operations of the Transportation Security Administration.
Airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, Seattle and elsewhere say the video’s political content violates their policies or regulations banning political messages in their facilities.
Various government agencies have used language in emails to workers and on websites that blames Democrats for the shutdown. Some experts argue that this could be a violation of the Hatch Act of 1939, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees.
The closure has disrupted routine operations at some airports and led to flight delays. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government must take into account their health needs, and Republicans say they won’t negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Some health insurance premiums would double if Congress does not extend subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31.
In the video, Noem says the TSA’s “top priority” is to make travel enjoyable and proficient while keeping passengers secure.
“However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government and because of this, many of our operations are affected and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” she continued.
The TSA operates under the Department of Homeland Security. Around 61,000 of the agency’s 64,130 employees must continue to work during the shutdown.
A DHS spokesperson responded to a request for comment and repeated part of the message from Noem’s video.
“It is unfortunate that our workforce was put in this position because of political gamesmanship. We hope Democrats soon realize the importance of opening up the government,” said spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin.
DHS said Friday that the video would be distributed at airports across the country.
In Columbus, Ohio, the video was not broadcast at John Glenn International Airport as of Tuesday. Spokesman Breann Almos said it was under legal review but gave no timeline.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, said it would not air the videos, citing rules against “politically partisan messages.”
Near the Canadian border, travelers will not see the video at Buffalo Niagara International Airport or Niagara Falls International Airport. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said its “longstanding” policies and regulations prohibit “partisan messaging” at its facilities.
The Chicago Department of Aviation said advertising and public service announcements must follow guidelines that “prohibit content that supports or opposes a stated political party.” In Florida, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport announced it has a policy not allowing political messages to be displayed at its facility. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas said it must “keep the Hatch Act restrictions in mind.”
“According to airport regulations, the terminals and surrounding areas are not designated public forums, and the airport intends to avoid using the facility for political or religious advocacy,” the airport statement said.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said the county north of New York City would not 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 highest officials” and said its tone was “unnecessarily alarmist” as it related to operations at the Westchester County Airport.
“At a time when we should be focused on ensuring stability, cooperation and preparedness, this type of communication only distracts from the real issues and undermines public trust,” he said.
Even in red states, airports didn’t show the video for various reasons. Salt Lake City International Airport did not get involved because state law prohibits the exploit of city property for political purposes, said airport spokeswoman Nancy Volmer.
The airport in Billings, Montana, “politely declined” even though it has screens that could show the video with sound, deputy aviation director Paul Khera said Tuesday.
“We don’t want to get involved in party politics,” Khera said. “We like to stay in the middle of the street, we didn’t want to play that video.” ___
Yamat reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press writers Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colo.; Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio; and Claire Rush in Portland contributed to this report.
