🔗 Share this article American Airports Block Kristi Noem PSA Blaming Democrats for Federal Closure A number of key international air travel hubs across the United States, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, Las Vegas's Harry Reid Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Charlotte Douglas Airport in NC, have chosen to block a video from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that attributes responsibility to Democratic lawmakers for the ongoing federal government shutdown from airing at their security checkpoints. Regulatory Concerns Cited by Airport Authorities Airport officials in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westchester, New York have refused to broadcast the video content at screening areas, stating that the political statements could contravene federal and state regulations, including the Hatch Act, which prohibits government workers from engaging in partisan actions. “Democrats in Congress decline to support funding for the U.S. government, and as a result, many of our operations are disrupted, and most of our TSA workers are not receiving wages,” Noem remarked in the video. Portland Reaction The Portland airport authority explained that it “would not agree to airing the video in its present version, as we believe the federal law clearly prohibits utilization of government resources for partisan messaging.” The port further stated that Oregon law bars public employees from promoting or opposing any political party and that consenting to broadcast this content would violate Oregon law. Las Vegas Statement Las Vegas's Harry Reid airport also declined to display the security announcement on comparable reasons, noting in a statement that “the video's message included political messaging that was inconsistent with the neutral, informational nature of the PSAs usually displayed at checkpoint screens” and also referenced the federal act. Understanding the Hatch Act Regulations The Hatch Act of 1939 is a federal law that forbids partisan actions by government employees to ensure that public services stay non-partisan. Additional Airport Rejections Phoenix Sky Harbor international airport stated that it “declined to display the PSA” to remain “consistent with airport guidelines,” which prohibits partisan material. The Seattle port authority, which operates Sea-Tac airport, also declined, pointing to “the partisan tone of the video.” Charlotte airport clarified that North Carolina local regulations and the airport’s policy for screen content “do not allow the referenced video.” The airport also noted that the Transportation Security Administration does not own any screens at its security areas and that its limited display monitors are reserved for wayfinding, flight updates, and revenue-generating services. Westchester County Objection The county, in a statement, called the video “inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the values we anticipate from our federal leaders.” “The PSA makes political the effects of a government closure on TSA operations,” the county leader stated, adding that the message was “overly alarming” and “undermines customer confidence.” DHS Response A DHS assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, repeated Noem’s language to blame “partisan tactics” in a statement, adding that “Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.” Bipartisan Calls for Resolution The Seattle authority said that it continued to “encourage cooperative actions to resolve the federal closure” and was working to identify ways to assist government workers unpaid during the closure.