Delta CEO blasts Congress over unpaid TSA agents – Business News
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian tore into Congress for forcing airport security agents to work with out pay, calling the scenario “inexcusable” and accusing lawmakers of utilizing frontline staff as “political chips” whereas a partial authorities shutdown drags into its fifth week.
“It’s inexcusable that our security agents, our frontline agents, that are essential to what we do, are not being paid, and it’s ridiculous to see them being used as political chips,” Bastian instructed CNBC on Tuesday.
“We’re outraged.”
The airline boss stated Delta is already seeing the influence, with staffing shortages at security checkpoints fueling longer traces and delays at main hubs — together with Atlanta, the place prolonged wait instances flared over the weekend.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian blasted Congress for forcing TSA agents to work with out pay, calling the scenario “inexcusable.” CNBC
“We certainly are [seeing it],” Bastian stated, noting the disruptions are inclined to hit hardest on weekends.
He stated climate worsened the scenario however pressured the underlying situation is unpaid staff.
The standoff in Washington has left about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers working with out pay since mid-February after lawmakers did not fund the Department of Homeland Security.
Last week, Senate Democrats blocked a invoice that may restore funding to DHS for the fourth time up to now month as more than 5,000 flights had been delayed and 500 others had been cancelled.
Airport security traces swell as unpaid TSA officers proceed working during the partial authorities shutdown. AFP through Getty Images
“Speaker Johnson has led the House twice now in passing a bill that fully funds the Department of Homeland Security – including for paychecks for TSA workers,” a spokesperson for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) instructed The Post.
“The House passed this legislation [in January] before the department shut down, and then again [earlier this month]. Senate Democrats have of course blocked this legislation multiple times now, and an overwhelming majority of House Democrats have refused to vote to fund the department as well.”
“House Democrats and Senate Democrats have joined together – the same group that gave us wide open borders and defunding the police is at it again. They are refusing to reopen TSA and FEMA for the American people unless they can also reopen the borders for illegal aliens. That’s exactly what’s at stake right now.”
The prime Democrat within the Senate rebuffed Johnson’s claims.
“Senate Democrats have repeatedly offered to fund all non-ICE parts of DHS, including TSA agents, only for Republicans to block it each time,” a spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) instructed The Post.
“TSA agents, FEMA workers, and Coast Guard personnel could be paid tomorrow if Republicans allowed it. All Republicans have to do is agree to basic professional and accountability standards for ICE, the same standards that police departments across the country already follow.”
Despite being deemed important, these staff have now missed not less than one paycheck and won’t be compensated till Congress reaches a deal.
The financial pressure is already rippling via the workforce.
Call-out charges have more than doubled, and not less than 300 TSA officers have reportedly give up for the reason that shutdown started.
Many remaining agents are struggling to cowl fundamental bills resembling rent, car funds and childcare.
TSA agents screen passengers as staffing shortages tied to the DHS shutdown set off long traces and delays at airports nationwide. Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post
The staffing crunch has spilled into airports nationwide.
Some checkpoints have been shut completely, forcing vacationers into fewer traces and triggering wait instances lasting two to a few hours — and in some circumstances even longer — at main airports together with Atlanta, Houston and New Orleans.
Airlines have been scrambling to handle the disruption, holding flights for delayed passengers and rebooking others when potential.
“There’s been some [impact], we do our best to hold flights where we can. It’s not a massive issue,” Bastian instructed CNBC, downplaying the operational hit to Delta’s community.
People wait on a TSA line on the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. AP
He framed the disaster in phrases of fundamental equity.
“These people missed paychecks just a few months ago. They’re missing paychecks again. It’s outrageous,” he stated.
Bastian’s remarks come as airline chiefs have been escalating stress on Congress, warning that the scenario is each unsustainable and avoidable.
In a March 15 open letter to lawmakers, the CEOs of main US airways — together with Delta, American, United, Southwest and JetBlue — urged quick motion to revive pay for federal aviation staff.
Long traces seen at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago on March 26, 2026. Anadolu through Getty Images
“There are very few issues upon which 9 out of 10 Americans agree,” the executives wrote, citing polling exhibiting 93% of Americans assist paying TSA staff during shutdowns.
The letter warned that long security traces and delays will solely worsen if agents proceed working with out pay, noting that Americans are “drained of long traces at airports, journey delays and flight cancellations brought on by shutdown after shutdown.
“TSA officers just received $0 paychecks. That is simply unacceptable,” the CEOs wrote, including that it’s “difficult, if not impossible” for staff to afford fundamental requirements with out income.
The executives referred to as on Congress to go laws that may guarantee pay for TSA officers, air visitors controllers and customs agents during future shutdowns — and to instantly fund DHS to finish the present deadlock.
The Post has sought remark from lawmakers.
