Speaker Johnson Calls for End to Congressional TSA Line-Skipping Perk

Speaker Mike Johnson has publicly called upon airlines to cease granting members of Congress the special privilege of skipping standard Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security lines. This request comes while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains without full funding.

Johnson stated he agreed "100% with the decision" to scrap the perk, emphasizing that lawmakers should not receive special benefits while the DHS faces a shutdown. He stressed that Congress must prioritize its primary duty: ensuring homeland safety.

Exceptions and Perceptions of Special Treatment

The Speaker acknowledged that exceptions sometimes exist for security threats. "There are some occasions where members of Congress get escorted around for security threats, heightened threat environments, and all that," Johnson noted.

However, he distanced himself from the practice, asserting, "my members don’t do that, they don’t skip the line." He added that any member taking advantage of such a benefit presents "a bad look, obviously."

The DHS Funding Stalemate and Airport Chaos

Johnson’s directive coincides with the ongoing shutdown of the DHS, with no clear resolution in sight. Complicating the situation, both chambers of Congress departed Washington for a two-week recess scheduled around Passover.

This recess followed the rejection of a bipartisan deal struck by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. That proposal aimed to fund most DHS operations except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.

Impact on TSA Operations and Pay

TSA employees had missed two pay periods due to the funding lapse before President Trump signed an emergency order last week to issue payments. Paychecks, including back pay, began distributing on Monday.

Despite the emergency pay, airports continue to experience significant disruptions. Wait times at some TSA checkpoints have reportedly exceeded three hours over the past week, causing considerable stress.

Airline Response to Security Bypass Privileges

The mounting delays and operational stress prompted Delta Air Lines to take action last week. Delta decided to scrap its own congressional specialty service, which previously allowed elected officials to bypass normal airport security procedures.