Delta Air Lines Takes Action Against Congress Over DHS Funding

Delta Air Lines is reacting to Congress’s failure to provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The airline has decided to suspend special Congressional Desk services for lawmakers and their staff at Capitol Hill until DHS is fully funded. This funding issue has caused partial closures since February 28.

In a statement, Delta explained, “Due to the resource impacts of the long-standing government shutdown, Delta Air Lines is temporarily suspending special services to members of Congress who fly Delta.” According to reports, Delta emphasized the challenges they face in maintaining service during this period.

Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, recently criticized Congress for allowing funding to lapse, which has left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers without pay for more than a month. He expressed his discontent, calling the situation “inexcusable” and pointed out that lawmakers are treating TSA agents as “political chips.”

“It is unacceptable that essential security workers are not being compensated properly,” Bastian remarked during a recent interview.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta witnessed significant TSA delays, especially at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where wait times exceeded four hours due to operational disruptions. Nationwide, TSA lines have swelled, with the number of employees showing up for work plummeting from around 2 percent prior to the shutdown to over 10 percent now, leading to approximately 400 TSA staff members retiring since the partial shutdown began.

There are increasing concerns that some smaller airports might have to close if the funding issue continues. As TSA staff received their last full paycheck on February 14, they received a partial payment on February 28 but missed subsequent payments on March 13.

The next pay period is scheduled for this Friday.

On the political front, Democrats are blocking DHS funding measures in an effort to reform immigration policies under the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Republicans are pushing back against calls to limit the powers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In an effort to alleviate TSA staffing shortages arising from the funding crisis, President Trump has ordered ICE personnel to assist at airports nationwide.

This is now the third funding crisis that TSA officials have faced within six months.

Recently, Trump dismissed a Republican plan that aimed to fund DHS excluding ICE, advocating instead for a more straightforward approach without compromises with Democrats.

Lastly, a bill from Senator John Cornyn, which has passed the Senate, aims to eliminate certain travel perks for Congress members, such as skipping TSA security lines. However, some lawmakers have suggested withholding pay, although that would not be feasible until a new Congress is sworn in due to the stipulations of the 27th Amendment.