SAN FRANCISCO — Several airports across the country, including the three of the biggest here in the Bay Area, say they do not plan to display a new video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
In the video, Noem says that TSA’s “top priority” is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers safe. Noem blames Democrats in Congress for the ongoing government shutdown and any related travel delays.
MORE: What to do if your flight is delayed or canceled during the US government shutdown
“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,” she said.
Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose airports all tell ABC7 News they do not plan to show the video, saying it violates either state, federal, or internal rules that prohibit the use of public resources for political activity.
Airports in Las Vegas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Seattle also will not play the video.
Various government agencies, in emails to workers and on websites, have adopted language that blames Democrats for the shutdown, with some experts arguing it could be in violation of the 1939 Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees.
The shutdown has halted routine operations and left airports scrambling with flight disruptions. Democrats say any deal to reopen the government has to address their health care demands, and Republicans say they won’t negotiate until they agree to fund the government. Insurance premiums would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire Dec. 31.
MORE: Government shutdown hits air travel, closing a control tower and causing delays across the country
The Transportation Security Administration falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Roughly 61,000 of the agency’s 64,130 employees are required to continue working during the shutdown. The Department said Friday that the video is being rolled out to airports across the country.
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,” spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.
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.
MORE: Passports, visas should not be impacted by government shutdown
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.”
ABC7 News contributed to this report, along with Associated Press writers Rio Yamat in Las Vegas and Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colo.
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