As Delta Airlines suspended “specialty services” for members of Congress amid the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government, other major airlines have remained silent on the matter.
A Delta spokesperson said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation on Wednesday that “due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta.” The spokesperson added that “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,” according to the outlet.
American Airlines, JetBlue and Southwest Airlines each did not respond to the DCNF’s request for comment about whether they plan to suspend any similar travel perks for members of Congress during the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
When reached for comment, a United Airlines spokesperson told the DCNF on Wednesday the airline has nothing to announce today. The spokesperson also told the DCNF on Thursday that to ensure compliance with ethics rules, United does not provide VIP services to members of Congress when they are traveling with the airline, other than services available to all customers based on their earned frequent flyer status.
Delta’s Capital Desk, a dedicated reservation line that helps members of Congress book trips at government rates, remains open. The airline’s suspended specialty services for members of Congress include airport escorts and red coat services.
Additionally, members of Congress will now be treated the same as any other Delta passenger based on their respective SkyMiles status.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported Delta’s decision to suspend specialty services for members of Congress on Tuesday.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers across the nation have notably been forced to work without payamid the Democrats‘ partial DHS shutdown, NPR reported. The ongoing partial shutdown has also resulted in widespread staffing shortages and lengthy wait times for some travelers, according to the outlet.
Tens of thousands of TSA workers are set to receive no pay this week if the partial shutdown continues to drag on, NBC 7 San Diego reported on Wednesday.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian asserted during a March 17 interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that it is “inexcusable that our security agents, our frontline agents, that are essential to what we do, are not being paid, adding “it’s ridiculous to see them being used as political chips.”
“So, we’re outraged,” Bastian told CNBC.
Republican Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson introduced a bill Tuesday that would require members of Congress to undergo the same TSA screening procedures “as all other airline passengers and prohibit the use of federal funds to provide U.S. Senators and House members with expedited or preferential access at airport security checkpoints,” according to a news release. The legislation, which was led by Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn, passed unanimously in the Senate on March 20, per the press release.
President Donald Trump wrote on Wednesday in a Truth Social post that Americans should “blame the Democrats for the Airport’s mess.”
“They want our Country to do badly,” Trump added. “They want our Country to fail. They broke the already signed Bill because they want to take care of Criminals who enter our Country illegally, rather than American citizens.”
The president also claimed he “may call up the National Guard for more help” at U.S. airports.
House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote in a Tuesday X post that “The Democrat’s DHS shutdown strategy is clear: Block paychecks for TSA officers and force Americans to wait in lines at airports across the country — while letting criminal illegal aliens skip the line to enter the country.”
“It’s madness,” Johnson’s post continues. “Republicans will keep fighting to end this senseless chaos and protect the American people.”
This story has been updated to add additional comment from United Airlines on Thursday morning.
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