Did Delta Stop VIP Treatment For Congress? It’s Complicated.

Unlike regular Delta customers, members of Congress get to bypass security lines — until now.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Delta is suspending its “red coat” high-level concierge services and “courtesy escorts” amid the partial government shutdown. Those services allow members of Congress to bypass general TSA lines, among other perks.

“Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,” the airline said in a statement. “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.”

The partial government shutdown has led to lengthy airport security wait times and delayed paychecks for federal TSA agents. As a result, employee callouts have increased, and more than 400 workers have quit since the shutdown began.

Business Insider reports that the majority of TSA agents earn salaries from $40,000 to $75,000 and many live paycheck-to-paycheck. Several GoFundMe accounts have been started by communities, as well as individual TSA employees, to help make ends meet during the funding crisis. Elon Musk even stepped in to offer to pay TSA agents’ salaries during the shutdown.

When the Atlanta Journal-Constitution broke the news, the author claimed, “Delta is suspending its special congressional desk service for members of Congress until the shutdown is over.”

Delta was praised for the decision, but several hours later, the author offered a correction. “Elite services for Members of Congress that have been temporarily suspended include specialty services such as airport escorts and red coat service. The Capital Desk, a reservations line, remains open.”

Delta did not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire.

Members of Congress have also taken steps to hold themselves accountable for shutting down the government. On Monday, Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) called out Senate Democrats for blocking his resolution to halt lawmakers’ pay until an agreement on funding was reached. “I tried to bring the bill yesterday on the floor, but got objected to by the Democrats,” he said.

During the record 43-day government shutdown last fall, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) called for Congress to pass the No Budget, No Pay Act. He calls funding the government one of the most basic jobs of Congress.

“The American people elected us to come together, look at what we’re collecting in revenues, and put together and pass 12 appropriations bills that use those dollars effectively,” he said. “The last time Congress passed all 12 appropriations bills on time was nearly three decades ago. Congress has failed, time and time again, to do one of its basic duties.”

The legislation did not pass the Senate.