US3 min(s) read
Published 16:15 27 Mar 2026 GMT
Delta makes brutal change for members of congress amid TSA workers going unpaid due to shutdown
Delta has stopped giving special treatment to members of Congress as the government shutdown continues to affect air travel.
In a statement, the airline said it will no longer offer VIP services such as airport escorts, seat upgrades, or rebooking priority to lawmakers who frequently travel between Washington and other parts of the country because staff and resources are under pressure, especially with TSA workers not being paid.
"Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta," the company said.
"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," they added.
TSA Crisis Deepens
The decision comes as airports across the US face growing disruption, with passengers reporting hours-long waits at security checkpoints.
The delays have been driven by staffing shortages among TSA agents, who have been working without pay since mid-February after funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired.
Many workers are now struggling to make ends meet. Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said: "Officers are reportedly sleeping in their cars at airports to save gas money, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on second and third jobs to make ends meet, all while expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform to protect the traveling public."
She added: "Many have received eviction notices, lost their childcare, missed bill payments and been charged late fees, damaged their credit, defaulted on loans, and have been unable to even qualify for a loan to help ease the financial burden during the shutdown."
Angela Grana, a TSA agent in Colorado, opened up about the toll the situation is taking, saying: "I’m feeling unimportant and unvalued," per The Independent. "My bills haven't stopped coming. They’re still pounding on my door and my bank account is empty. So, I'm lost. I'm drowning."
Delta CEO Ed Bastian also weighed in, calling the situation unacceptable. "It's inexcusable," he said. "It's ridiculous to see them being used as political chits. We're outraged."
Trump Moves To Address 'National Crisis’
President Donald Trump announced he is ordering the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA workers immediately.
"Because the Democrats have recklessly created a true National Crisis, I am using my authorities under the Law to protect our Great Country, as I always will do," he said.
"Therefore, I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation, and to quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports," he added.
Trump also thanked the "hardworking TSA Agents" and ICE officers deployed to assist with long lines, after agents were sent to more than a dozen airports to help manage crowds.
The move comes after the White House rejected an offer from Elon Musk to pay TSA workers during the shutdown, citing legal concerns.