Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian has criticised Congress for forcing airport security agents to work without pay, calling the situation "inexcusable" and accusing lawmakers of using frontline workers as “political chips” during the ongoing partial government shutdown. The standoff has left about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers working without pay since mid-February after lawmakers failed to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Despite being deemed essential, these workers will not be compensated until Congress reaches a deal. The financial strain is already affecting the workforce, with call-out rates doubling and at least 300 TSA officers reportedly quitting.