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While Transportation Security Administration agents are not being paid due to the partial government shutdown, some airlines don\u2019t believe members of Congress deserve special treatment when traveling. Delta Air Lines just suspended its \u201cspecialty services\u201d perk for U.S. Senators and Representatives amid the shutdown that has left TSA workers without paychecks for more than a month.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cDue to the impact on resources from the long-standing government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,\u201d the airline said In a statement to CNBC<\/a>, noting that next to safety, its top priority is \u201ctaking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.\u201d<\/p>\n The decision comes as Congress has been criticized for failing to reach a deal that would bring an end to the shutdown that\u2019s now in its fifth week, causing long lines at airports, safety concerns, and financial instability for government workers. At least 400 TSA staffers are deemed \u201cessential employees\u201d and are therefore required to show up for work regardless of the status of the federal government; at least 400 have turned in their resignations as a result, and many others are calling in sick.<\/p>\n Delta has traditionally given priority VIP service to congressional members. That special treatment has allowed members of congress to bypass TSA lines, as well as receive courtesy escorts. Per, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution<\/a>, who first reported the news, Delta is also suspending its \u201cspecial congressional desk service\u201d for lawmakers until a resolution has been reached that funds the TSA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Last week, Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC<\/em><\/a> he\u2019s \u201coutraged\u201d by the shutdown, given the major impacts to airport staff, many who work paycheck to paycheck. \u201cIt\u2019s inexcusable that our security agents, our frontline agents, that are essential to what we do, are not being paid, and it\u2019s ridiculous to see them being used as political chips,\u201d Bastian said.<\/p>\n While republicans have been continuously blaming democrats for the ongoing shutdown, on Monday Trump urged republicans not to cave, telling them, \u201cDon\u2019t make any deal on anything unless you include voter ID,\u201d Trump said<\/a> on Monday of the SAVE Act<\/a>, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, congressional republicans have already blocked eight democrat-led attempts to fund the TSA. On Monday, Senator Cory Booker called the current situation \u201ca national crisis by Donald Trump\u2019s making\u201d during a press conference<\/a> at the Newark Liberty International airport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Delta\u2019s move to suspend specialty services should be as temporary as the partial government shutdown. However, some lawmakers have pitched making the end of such services a permanent change. On Tuesday, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act<\/a>. If passed, the legislation which would require members of congress to undergo the same TSA procedures as all other passengers. It would also disallow federal funds \u201cfrom being used to provide U.S. Senators and House members with expedited or preferential access at airport security checkpoints.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n