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Airports

Senators Demand Removal of Partisan Videos at Airports, Blasting Violation of Federal Law

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Jack Reed, along with 15 others, have called out Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem for potentially violating federal law by mandating the display of partisan videos at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. The Senators have demanded that DHS remove the videos and provide information about the resources used to create and disseminate them.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senators cited Section 715 of P.L. 118-47, which prohibits using federal funding for partisan political activities, and the Hatch Act and the Anti-Lobbying Act, which were likely also violated.
  • The Senators claimed that the video is a blatant act of partisan politics and an insult to the thousands of TSA employees serving in the department.
  • The video in question accuses Democrats in Congress of not funding the government and has been reported to be a flagrant violation of Section 715.
  • The video is also wrong, as Democrats have voted seven times to provide funding for the government and lower healthcare costs for Americans.
  • The Senate has been repeatedly rejecting these measures.
  • The Senators have reminded OMB Director Russ Vought multiple times, including in a letter on October 7, 2025, that agency resources should not be used for overtly political and misleading messages.
  • The Senators have requested information on the cost of producing and disseminating the video, who was consulted on the decision, and whether outside consultants were involved.

Statistics:

  • 18 Senators have signed the letter to Secretary Noem, including Blumenthal and Reed.
  • The Senators have written two letters to Noem, one on October 7, 2025, and another on October 15, 2025.
  • The cost of creating and disseminating the video still needs to be broken down.
  • The details of the production budget and the people involved in its creation are still unknown.
  • The Department of Homeland Security was accused of violating federal law and misusing federal funds.

Sources:

  • Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
  • Jack Reed (D-RI)
  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
  • Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • U.S. Senators, including Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI)
  • Sources mentioned in the original text

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