Travel chaos is reaching a fever pitch at airports across the United States, as the ongoing government shutdown causes added stress and snaking lines in terminals throughout the country.
Now, one airline is nixing certain travel perks for members of Congress, as tensions between elected officials and the traveling public continue to rise.
Delta Air Lines said on Tuesday that it would be suspending special airport services that it typically extends to U.S. senators and Congressional representatives. The services include benefits like expedited screening at TSA checkpoints and courtesy TSA escorts through terminals.
“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 in a statement to NBC News. "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.”
With the policy change, members of Congress will be treated like any other Delta passenger, with any perks doled out based solely on their SkyMiles loyalty status and not their elected office.
Delta’s suspension of the Congressional perks will be temporary. However, several days ago, the Senate unanimously passed a bill that would permanently end special treatment in airports for members of Congress and require them to be treated as any other traveler.
The bill is “an important step towards restoring the trust of the people we are here to represent,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who introduced the legislation. The bill now heads to the House for approval.
Queue for customs and immigration screening at an airport. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Oleg)
The U.S. government has been in partial shutdown since February 14. On that date, federal funding lapsed for the Department of Homeland Security—which oversees the TSA—which means the majority of DHS workers will go unpaid until Congress can agree on a funding bill.
Because TSA workers are essential federal employees, they are forced to work without paychecks while the department remains unfunded.
The financial strain has meant TSA officers calling out of work in significantly higher numbers nationwide, leading to understaffed checkpoints and hours-long lines for travelers. Nearly 400 TSA officers have quit over the course of the 38-day shutdown.
On Tuesday, it appeared as though the Senate was close to agreeing on a deal to fund at least some parts of DHS, including TSA, after Republicans met with President Trump on Monday night. Lawmakers are working with renewed vigor to pass a funding bill as their Easter recess is scheduled to begin at the end of the week.
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