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Senators Demand Removal of Partisan Videos at TSA Checkpoints

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with their colleagues, have called out U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem for potentially violating federal law by asking airports to play blatantly partisan videos at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. The Senators have demanded that DHS immediately remove the videos and provide information about the resources used to create and disseminate them.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senators, including Merkley and Wyden, argue that the videos are a violation of Section 715 of P.L. 118-47, which prohibits using federal funding for partisan political activities.
  • The videos are also likely a violation of the Hatch Act and the Anti-Lobbying Act, as they are being played at TSA checkpoints, where federal employees are being asked to work without pay.
  • The Senators have led a bipartisan effort, with 23 Senate colleagues signing a letter to Noem demanding the removal of the videos.
  • The letter was led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jack Reed (D-RI) and was signed by senators including Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and others.
  • The Senators have requested information about the cost of creating and disseminating the video, including funding sources, approvals, and costs of production, editing, and circulation.

Statistics:

  • 23 Senate colleagues signed the letter to Noem demanding the removal of the videos.
  • The letter was led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jack Reed (D-RI).
  • 7 times in the last two months, Democrats in Congress have voted to provide funding for the government and lower health care costs for Americans, but the Republican-controlled Senate has repeatedly rejected the measure.

Sources:

  • [ABC News, "Senators Demand Removal of Partisan Videos at TSA Checkpoints", October 10, 2025]
  • [Oregonlive, "Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues to Call Out DHS Secretary for Partisan Videos at TSA Checkpoints", October 10, 2025]
  • [The Hill, "Senate Democrats Demand Removal of Partisan Videos at TSA Checkpoints", October 10, 2025]

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