Delta Says Congress Must Pay for the Shutdown

Delta Air Lines has decided to halt its special congressional desk service until the federal shutdown concludes. The service, which allowed lawmakers and staff to book flights at discounted rates, secure same‑day tickets for votes, and swiftly adjust itineraries, is now paused as the airline prioritizes safety and customer care—tasks that have become increasingly difficult while Congress remains in session.

The shutdown has left many TSA officers unpaid for weeks. At airports such as Houston, over forty percent of security staff were absent, causing wait times for travelers to exceed an hour and a half. Since the partial shutdown began on February 14, roughly four hundred TSA workers have resigned and thousands more have missed work.

Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive, has cautioned that the lack of pay forces airport workers to resort to extreme measures—sleeping in cars, selling blood, or skipping meals—to survive. He has written to Congress highlighting the hardships faced by these employees.

The duration of the shutdown hinges on political negotiations. President Trump has blocked Democrats from reaching an agreement that would reopen the Department of Homeland Security and pay TSA workers. Senator John Kennedy proposed an alternative plan to fund DHS separately, but Trump declined, stating no deals with Democrats were permissible. Kennedy claimed the plan could have paid TSA by the end of the week.

Trump has blamed Democrats for the shutdown and deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to airports to assist staff. He posted a stern message on Truth Social, labeling the opposition “lunatics” and insisting they must pay a price for the country’s future.