Congress loses a flying perk as DHS shutdown continues

NPR
by Barbara Sprunt
March 24, 2026
1 min read

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Delta Airlines suspends congressional specialty travel services due to Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

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Delta Airlines has suspended specialty services for members of Congress due to resource constraints stemming from the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown. The airline cited staffing and operational limitations tied to the DHS closure as the reason for the temporary service reduction. Congressional travelers typically rely on these services for expedited check-in and boarding. The suspension underscores the widening operational impact of the DHS shutdown across both government and private-sector operations that depend on federal personnel.

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