Congress loses a flying perk as DHS shutdown continues

Key Points:

• Delta Airlines is temporarily suspending special flight services, such as airport escorts, for members of Congress due to resource impacts from the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, treating lawmakers like regular passengers based on their SkyMiles status.
• The DHS shutdown, ongoing since mid-February, has resulted in TSA officers working without pay, causing staff shortages and long wait times at airports, prompting criticism from Delta CEO Ed Bastian.
• Congressional Democrats are withholding full DHS funding until reforms are made to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urges funding TSA workers immediately despite ongoing ICE negotiations.
• Republicans insist on funding the entire DHS without carveouts, leading to stalled negotiations and prolonging the partial government shutdown affecting homeland security operations.
• Other major airlines have not announced changes to congressional perks but continue to urge Congress to resolve the funding impasse for TSA and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).