While TSA agents are currently without pay due to the partial government shutdown, some airlines don’t think Congress members deserve special treatment. Delta Air Lines just suspended its Specialty Services perk for Congress members amid the shutdown that has left TSA workers without paychecks.
“Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,” Delta said in a statement to CNBC. “Next to safety, Delta’s no. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment,” the airline said.
The decision comes as Congress has been criticized for failing to reach a deal and bring an end to the shutdown which has entered its fifth week, causing long lines at airports, safety issues, and financial instability for workers. At least 400 TSA workers, who are essential employees and are required to show up for work regardless of the status of the federal government, have turned in their resignations as a result. Others are opting to stay home from work in high numbers.
Delta has traditionally given priority VIP service to congressional members. That special treatment has allowed members of congress to bypass TSA lines, as well as receive courtesy escorts. Per, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who first reported the news, Delta is also suspending its “special congressional desk service” for lawmakers until a resolution has been reached that funds the TSA.
Last week, Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC he’s “outraged” by the shutdown, given the major impacts to airport staff, many who work paycheck to paycheck. “It’s inexcusable that our security agents, our frontline agents, that are essential to what we do, are not being paid, and it’s ridiculous to see them being used as political chips,” Bastian said.
While republicans have been continuously blaming democrats for the ongoing shutdown, on Monday Trump urged republicans not to cave, telling them, “Don’t make any deal on anything unless you include voter ID,” Trump said on Monday of the SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
Meanwhile, congressional republicans have already blocked eight democrat-led attempts to fund the TSA. On Monday, Senator Cory Booker called the current situation “a national crisis by Donald Trump’s making” during a press conference at the Newark Liberty International airport.
Delta’s move to suspend specialty services should be as temporary as the partial government shutdown. However, some lawmakers have pitched making the end of such services a permanent change. On Tuesday, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act. If passed, the legislation which would require members of congress to undergo the same TSA procedures as all other passengers. It would also disallow federal funds “from being used to provide U.S. Senators and House members with expedited or preferential access at airport security checkpoints.”
