The airline Delta temporarily suspended the special treatment it gives to members of Congress in its terminals due to the large number of people stranded at airports due to the absence or resignation of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees. The reduction in TSA employees is due to the fact that since February they have not been paid because the new budget for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA, has not yet been approved. «Due to the impact on resources derived from the prolonged government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend special services for members of Congress,» the airline told EFE. It also stated in written statements that after security, Delta's number one priority is «to care for our employees and customers» which it assures «has become increasingly difficult in the current context.» Images of long lines at the country's main airports have made headlines in the media and flooded social networks, which led President Donald Trump to send ICE agents to these facilities. According to the federal agency, more than 400 of its TSA workers have resigned. In this context, Delta stopped the priority service that members of Congress receive and, according to the company, this includes airport escort services and uniformed doorman services. «Members of Congress will be treated like any other passenger based on their respective SkyMiles status,» the airline stated. In the last hours of this Tuesday, the Senate has made progress towards reaching an agreement that would allow funding for the Department of Homeland Security and end the partial shutdown that has caused delays and chaos at many airports.
