While Transportation Security Administration agents are not being paid due to the partial government shutdown, some airlines don’t believe members of Congress deserve special treatment when traveling. Delta Air Lines just suspended its “specialty services” perk for U.S. Senators and Representatives amid the shutdown that has left TSA workers without paychecks for more than a month.
“Due to the impact on resources from the long-standing government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,” the airline said In a statement to CNBC, noting that next to safety, its top priority is “taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.”
The decision comes as Congress has been criticized for failing to reach a deal that would bring an end to the shutdown that’s now in its fifth week, causing long lines at airports, safety concerns, and financial instability for government workers. At least 400 TSA staffers are deemed “essential employees” and are therefore required to show up for work regardless of the status of the federal government; at least 400 have turned in their resignations as a result, and many others are calling in sick.
Delta has traditionally given priority VIP service to congressional members, allowing them to bypass TSA lines and receive courtesy escorts. Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which 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 of whom live 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 continuously blamed Democrats for the ongoing shutdown, on March 23 President Donald Trump urged Republicans not to cave, telling them, “Don’t make any deal on anything unless you include voter ID.” Trump was referring to 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, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker called the current situation “a national crisis by Donald Trump’s making” during a press conference at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Delta’s move to suspend specialty services is expected to be as temporary as the partial government shutdown. However, some lawmakers have pitched the idea of making the change permanent. On Tuesday, Iowa Representative Ashley Hinson introduced the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act. If passed, the legislation 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.”