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Airports

Senators Demand Removal of Partisan Videos at TSA Checkpoints

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jack Reed (D-RI) joined 16 other Democratic senators in calling out Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem for potentially violating federal law by asking airports to play partisan videos at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. The senators demanded that DHS immediately remove the videos and provide information about the resources used to create and disseminate them.

Key Takeaways:

  • The senators alleged that the videos violated Section 715 of P.L. 118-47, which prohibits using federal funding for partisan political activities.
  • The videos were also likely a violation of the Hatch Act and the Anti-Lobbying Act.
  • The senators claimed that the videos were an insult to the thousands of TSA employees serving in the department.
  • The senators demanded that DHS provide a complete breakdown of the cost of creating and disseminating the video, including funding sources, approval processes, and production costs.
  • The senators also requested information on outside consultants or individuals involved in the decision to create the video.
  • The 17 senators who signed the letter to Secretary Noem include Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jack Reed (D-RI).
  • The senators noted that this was not the first instance of the Trump Administration violating Section 715.

Statistics:

  • 17 U.S. senators joined in the letter to Secretary Noem, including Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jack Reed (D-RI).
  • The senators claimed that the videos were played at airports across the country.
  • The senators alleged that the videos were a violation of Section 715 of P.L. 118-47, which was enacted in 118-47.
  • The senators requested information on the resources used to create and disseminate the video.

Sources:

  • Department of Homeland Security website, "Secretary Noem" (no date)
  • October 9, 2025, airports across the country were asked to play the videos.
  • P.L. 118-47 (no date)
  • October 7, 2025, letter from U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jack Reed (D-RI) to OMB Director Russ Vought.

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