Delta Air Lines just stripped members of Congress of one of their most convenient VIP perks—and they have only Chuck Schumer and the Democrats to thank for it.
The Atlanta-based carrier has suspended its dedicated congressional desk service, forcing lawmakers to ditch the special treatment and navigate TSA security lines and travel hassles just like the regular Americans they claim to represent.
"Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta," a statement from the airline reads.
"Next to safety, Delta's No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment."
NEWS that Congressional staff are not going to like- Delta is suspending its special congressional desk service for members of Congress until the shutdown is over. @ajc https://t.co/q2w4VIkK7p pic.twitter.com/sXnnZFOz4G
— Patricia Murphy (@MurphyAJC) March 24, 2026
The partial government shutdown, prompted by Democrats who refuse to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) out of spite for ICE doing its job in protecting the American people, has now stretched 39 days.
While unpaid TSA officers quit in droves and spring-break travelers endure hours-long checkpoint delays, thanks to Democrats' stubborn refusal to budge on funding, Congress has continued collecting paychecks and enjoying the perks of the position.
No longer. At least on part of the perks. Delta’s move is a long-overdue dose of accountability for the swamp creatures who created this mess in the first place. Bravo.
Make the move permanent, and you'll get one of these ...
READ MORE: Thank a Democrat — Here Are Videos of Insanely Long Lines at Airports Across the Country
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Frankly, it's a surprise that other CEO's from other major airlines haven't taken a similar tactic when dealing with members of Congress. Make them feel the pain they're forcing on everybody else.
They certainly issued a strongly worded statement on the matter.
"Too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long - and painfully slow - lines at checkpoints," the CEOs of Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Air, and others wrote in an open letter to Congress.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) pushed legislation targeting airline-related perks for members of Congress. The Senate passed that bill unanimously last week.
"As many Americans probably don't know …airports around the country allow Members of Congress to bypass the usual TSA security screening process at airports," Corny wrote at the time. "This should end today."
"We know trust in Congress is at an all-time low, but today, thank goodness, the Senate has taken an important step towards restoring the trust of the people we are here to represent."
📣 Last night on the Senate floor, my bill, the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act, passed the Senate unanimously. This legislation would require Members of Congress to undergo the same @TSA screening procedures as everyone else as well as prohibit the use of…
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) March 20, 2026
Get back in line, ladies and gentlemen, just like the rest of us. Cornyn's bill has been discharged from the Senate after passing, but it's unclear if or when the House will take it up.
Good on Delta for being proactive on this.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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