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As the federal government shutdown continues, a dustup over an airport video message has garnered attention.

Most Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration employees are considered essential personnel. So, they must report to work, without getting paid, until the shutdown ends. However, the shutdown can lead to more call-outs from employees as well as an impact on operations.

The standoff between Republicans and Democrats persists in Washington as the shutdown enters its third week. And there does not appear to be an end in sight in the short-term.

That has led to ratcheted up rhetoric.

Recently, Division of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem put out a 30-second video to play at airports blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

“It is TSA‘s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe,” said Noem. “However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted and most of our T.S.A. employees are working without pay.”

The release led to pushback from a number of airports across the country. These depots have refused to play the video, pointing to rules and laws that bar politically partisan messaging.

Non-partisan policies

Among the airports refusing to play the video are those under purview of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. They include JFK International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and, of course, Newark Liberty International Airport, right here in the Garden State.

Sneak peek

The Port Authority recently broke ground on the new $3.5 billion AirTrain Newark. See more here.

“The Port Authority’s longstanding policies prevent airing of politically partisan messages at our facilities, so airports are not airing the video on airport-controlled screens,” Cheryl Albiez, a Port Authority spokesperson, told NJBIZ.

Other major airports doing the same include those in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas and more.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin echoed the message from Noem. In a statement responding to certain airports not airing this video, she relayed the department’s priority in maintaining a safe, pleasant and efficient airport experience, while blaming Democrats.

“While this creates challenges for our people, our security operations remain largely unimpacted at this time,” said McLaughlin, in reference to TSA employees working without pay. “It’s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”

Please stay with NJBIZ for the very latest on this situation, as well as the broader federal government shutdown.