Delta Airlines has announced it is temporarily suspending its specialty services for members of Congress as airport security lines across the U.S. continue to swell amid the partial government shutdown.
Traditionally, lawmakers receive expedited Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening and escorted access through terminals.
Delta said these services are now unavailable due to staffing shortages, as many TSA agents have called out sick or resigned after going weeks without pay following the lapse of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding on Feb. 14.
“Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,” the airline said.
The company added that caring for employees and passengers has become increasingly difficult under current conditions.
Under the temporary policy, lawmakers will now pass through TSA lines like regular passengers, with only their SkyMiles loyalty status affecting boarding priority.
Delta’s Capital Desk, a dedicated reservation line for congressional travelers, remains operational.
The change follows a recent Senate vote requiring all members of Congress to undergo the same security screening as other passengers, according to NBC Washington.
Sponsored by Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R), the legislation also bars federal funds from providing lawmakers with expedited airport access.
The practice of offering such perks has existed for decades, giving legislators a streamlined path through busy security checkpoints — a benefit now unavailable as federal aviation workers go unpaid.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian has repeatedly criticized Congress for failing to resolve the shutdown, warning of the impact on federal aviation workers.
Speaking to CNBC, he called the situation “inexcusable” and stressed that TSA staff are essential yet unpaid.
“It’s ridiculous to see them treated as political leverage,” Bastian said.
Airline executives earlier signed an open letter urging bipartisan action to ensure federal aviation employees are compensated during the shutdown.
Airports nationwide are feeling the strain, The Hill noted.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Delta’s hub, has warned travelers to allow at least four hours for screening as absences among TSA officers continue to rise.
Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl cautioned that lines could lengthen further if the funding impasse continues.
Other major airports, including those in New York, Chicago, and Dallas, have reported extended wait times for domestic and international flights.
Other carriers, including United and American Airlines, have not yet announced changes to congressional privileges, though airline executives have consistently urged lawmakers to ensure federal aviation staff are paid.
The suspension of congressional perks underscores public frustration over government shutdowns and highlights the disproportionate treatment of elected officials during crises affecting essential services.
It also demonstrates how staffing shortages ripple through daily airport operations, causing delays for all passengers.
Delta’s action illustrates the tangible effects of prolonged funding gaps on airline operations and travelers while reinforcing the Senate’s push to end special treatment for lawmakers at TSA checkpoints.
Travelers and members of Congress alike are now experiencing the consequences firsthand, emphasizing the urgency of a legislative resolution to prevent further disruption.
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