Airports won’t show Kristi Noem video blaming Democrats for shutdown
Many major airports in the US refuse to release a video Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blames Democrats in Congress for the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Transportation Security Administration Requests were sent to airports to broadcast the video on screens near security lines.
“TSA’s top priority is to ensure you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience possible as we keep you safe,” Noem says in the video. MSNBC.
“But Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and so many of our operations have been impacted, and many of our TSA employees are working without pay,” says Noem, whose division oversees TSA.
Some airports that refused to show Noem’s video cited the video’s political nature, while a few directly pointed to its content. Cover Act, This prohibits certain political activities by government employees.
Airports that refused to show Noem’s video include 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 long-standing policies prohibit the broadcast of partisan political messages at our facilities, which is why airports do not broadcast video on airport-controlled screens,” a spokesperson said. Port Authority of New York and New JerseyThe company that operates these three airports.
“Due to the political nature of the content, the Port of Seattle will not play the video on its screens at SEA Airport,” a spokesperson for the Port of Seattle, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, said in a statement. he said.
“We continue to encourage 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. he said.
A spokesperson for Charlotte Douglas International Airport said North Carolina municipal codes as well as CLT Airport’s digital content policy do not allow referenced video.”
“Additionally, TSA does not have any monitors at airport checkpoints,” the spokesperson said. “The limited digital displays CLT has are designed for static content that supports wayfinding, provides essential travel information, and supports CLT’s revenue-generating services.”
Spokespeople for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas said those facilities refused to release the video because of policies prohibiting political content.
A spokesman for Harry Reid International said: “Under airport regulations, the terminals and surrounding areas are not designated as public forums and it is the airport’s intention to avoid the use of the facility for political or religious advocacy.”
“Additionally, as a facility that hosts federal operations, we are mindful of the Hatch Act’s restrictions on political activity in government workplaces. We are committed to providing travelers with clear information that supports a smooth and effective screening process.”
Other airports where Noem reportedly refused to show her video include Portland International Airport and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. CNBC reached out to representatives on their behalf.
DHS deputy secretary Tricia McLaughlin echoed Noem’s comments about the video in a statement to CNBC.
“While this creates challenges for our people, our security operations remain largely unaffected at this time,” McLaughlin added.
“It’s unfortunate that our workforce has been put in this situation because of political gamesmanship,” he said.
“Our hope is that Democrats will soon realize the importance of opening the government.”
A shortage of air traffic controllers during the government shutdown caused flight delays and disruptions, CNBC reported last week.
On Friday, airlines told passengers to be prepared for delays due to staffing shortages over the Columbus Day holiday weekend.
Last week, airports across the United States, including Burbank, California, and Nashville, Tennessee, experienced delayed flights. Bad weather conditions are also expected to contribute to delays.
Air travel was disrupted during the more than month-long government shutdown that ended in January 2019, hours after a shortage of air traffic controllers disrupted flights in the New York area.
Before that, some airport security checkpoints were closed due to increased sick calls from the Transportation Security Administration’s unpaid screening officers.
On Tuesday, air traffic controllers received their first partial pay. If the shutdown continues, they will miss out on their entire paycheck on October 28th.
The government shutdown began Oct. 1 after the Senate failed to pass temporary funding measures that would maintain normal operations at least for a while.
Republicans, who have the majority in the Senate, want to approve the so-called “clean” resolution passed by the House of Representatives. Democrats insist that any such continuing resolutions include a provision that would extend the life of the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
These credits, which expire at the end of 2025, reduce the cost of health insurance for the 22 million Americans who buy plans through Obamacare marketplaces.
The Senate is expected to vote again on Tuesday on the funding resolutions, which have little chance of passing.
