ICE agents dispatched to airports as TSA shortage worsens
Travelers are facing long lines at TSA as ICE officers are deployed to airports during the partial government shutdown.
As the partial government shutdown continues to disrupt the nation’s airports, Delta Air Lines announced on Tuesday, March 24, that it will suspend special service for members of Congress.
The partial shutdown, which began in mid-February, affected the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Transportation Security Administration.
“Due to the impact on resources from the long-standing government shutdown, Delta Air Lines is temporarily suspending special services to members of Congress who fly Delta,” the airline said in a statement to USA TODAY. “Next to safety, Delta’s top priority is caring for our employees and customers, which is becoming increasingly difficult in the current environment.”
The government shutdown has also led to a significant increase in calls from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as employees have been working without regular pay for more than a month. Travelers are enduring long waits at security checkpoints at U.S. airports due to staffing shortages. Federal officials said more than 400 TSA employees have resigned since the shutdown began.
Here’s what you need to know:
What perks are MPs losing?
Like other U.S. airlines, Delta Air Lines offers special service to members of Congress who frequently travel to and from Washington, DC.
Delta Air Lines says members of Congress will no longer receive special airport escorts or VIP treatment for services such as upgrades and rebookings. Delta Air Lines said members of Congress will be treated like other passengers based on their SkyMiles loyalty status.
Lawmakers will still have access to the Capital Desk, Delta’s special phone line for ticket reservations.
In an interview with CNBC, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian called on the government to resume paying TSA workers.
“It is unacceptable that frontline security personnel, who are at the heart of our operations, are not paid. It is ridiculous that they are being used as political material. We are outraged,” he said.
Contributed by: Reuters
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
