PHOENIX \u2014 Travelers will be able get through TSA security to fly out of Arizona\u2019s two major airports without having to hear Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blame Democrats for any delays they encounter.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsistent with airport policy, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport declined to post the video,\u201d said Jon Brodsky, the airport\u2019s communications and outreach administrator. He said the reason is simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe policy does not permit political content,\u201d Brodsky said.<\/p>\n
Nor will those leaving Tucson International Airport be subjected to Noem\u2019s video saying that many airport operations are impacted because \u201cDemocrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Austin Wright, the airport\u2019s chief communications officer, said in the case of his facility, it was an easy call.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have no screens in the TSA checkpoints where the video was requested to be played,\u201d he said. \u201cSo we have no capability to play it.\u201d
Wright said, though, it would not have mattered even if there were video screens available.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnically, it would be advertising,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd our advertising policy prohibits political speech of any type in the airport.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two Arizona facilities are joining others across the nation who have rejected the bid by Noem to play her message on video screens near Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.<\/p>\n
She starts off with a general statement that it is the \u201ctop priority\u201d of the TSA that travelers \u201chave the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Where it crosses the line, according to airport officials here and elsewhere, is where she tells travelers it is the fault of Democrats and their refusal to approve a new budget if things don\u2019t go smoothly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,\u201d Noem said.<\/p>\n
The message is far different than what is normally available near checkpoints. These tend to be more informational, such as explaining the screening process, what can and cannot be carried on to aircraft, and why a Real ID is necessary to board even domestic flights unless someone has a passport.<\/p>\n
Noem\u2019s message, however, hit a sour note \u2014 and not just at airports in Arizona. The Washington Post reports facilities in Buffalo, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Seattle and Portland also are refusing to air the video.<\/p>\n
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Some are saying it violates internal policies about showing political messages to travelers. But there\u2019s also the question of the Hatch Act that bars the use of public resources for political purposes.<\/p>\n
What is clear is the shutdown has created two classes of federal employees.
Most in non-essential positions were furloughed without pay. But essential workers \u2014 including those at TSA checkpoints and staffing the control towers \u2014 were told they still have to work even though they would not be getting paid.<\/p>\n
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant homeland security secretary, was not apologetic. In fact, in a message to Capitol Media Services, she doubled down on what Noem is saying, repeating that \u201cDemocrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government,\u201d resulting in TSA employees working without pay.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship,\u201d she said. \u201cOur hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.\u201d<\/p>\n
The House already has approved the budget extension. But the measure is stuck in the Senate where it takes 60 votes to advance; Republicans control just 53 seats.<\/p>\n
Authorization to spend federal dollars ran out at the end of September, resulting in the furloughs of most federal workers and the requirement for others, like TSA screeners and control tower staff, to continue working without pay.<\/p>\n
Democratic leaders are using the inability of Senate Republicans to enact a new spending plan without them that as leverage to push the GOP to restore funding for health care that was cut in the “Big Beautiful Bill.”<\/p>\n
They specifically want restoration of premium tax credits that underwrite the cost of many getting their health insurance the Affordable Care Act. They have argued that coverage will become unaffordable for many without the federal dollars.<\/p>\n
Republicans, however, are refusing to budge.<\/p>\n
The stalemate has resulted in some flight delays reported nationwide.<\/p>\n
There have been flight delays reported nationwide, but Tucson officials say all employees have been reporting to work.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re one of the lucky ones,\u201d said Wright.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone\u2019s coming to work here and we appreciate it,\u201d he said \u201cThe tower\u2019s staffed, TSA is staffed. It\u2019s business as usual.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howard Fischer<\/p>\n