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Delta Pulls Congressional VIP Services During DHS Funding Lapse

The move heightens pressure on Congress by removing a privilege as unpaid TSA staffing woes snarl airports.

Overview

  • Delta announced Tuesday that it suspended its specialty services for lawmakers during the Department of Homeland Security funding lapse.
  • Lawmakers lose airport escorts and concierge help for upgrades or rebooking, though Delta’s Capital Desk phone line remains for reservations.
  • TSA officers have worked without full pay since mid‑February, with call‑outs rising into double digits, roughly 400 resignations, and multi‑hour lines at hubs like Atlanta.
  • President Donald Trump deployed ICE agents to more than a dozen airports for crowd control, and TSA workers objected that the agents lack checkpoint training.
  • A related push in Congress advanced when Sen. John Cornyn’s bill to end preferential screening for lawmakers unanimously cleared the Senate.