Delta suspends major travel perk for members of Congress

Today’s e-newsletter highlights:

• Lawmakers approve a invoice rising penalties for blocking streets.
• The monetary imbalance within the governor’s race is widening.
• The state Senate passes a invoice aimed toward stopping Georgia from altering the clocks twice a 12 months.

With airport safety strains stretching for hours and the congressional stalemate over Homeland Security funding now in its sixth week, Atlanta’s Delta Air Lines is suspending major travel perks for members of Congress.

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

According to Delta, these specialty providers embrace issues like airport escorts and “red coat” service for members of Congress.

The specialty providers suspension follows angry comments from Delta CEO Ed Bastian last week, when he stated the Transportation Security Administration brokers who display screen passengers at airports are getting used as “political chips” in congressional negotiations over DHS funding.

“It’s inexcusable that our security agents, frontline workers central to what we do, are not being paid,” Bastian said. “We’re outraged. Let’s get our people who are essential to our security paid quickly.”

Like most major airways, Delta has lengthy operated the particular congressional reservation desk identified on Capitol Hill because the “Delta Desk.” The devoted service helps members e book journeys at authorities charges, make last-minute ticketing modifications and even reserve seats on a number of flights on the identical day to accommodate congressional votes. That service stays open.

Things to know

Tybee Island Mayor Brian West stands on the high of a blocked public entry level at Mid Beach. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Good morning! Here are three issues to know for as we speak:

• The Georgia Legislature has agreed to ban high school students from having cellphones in class. The invoice now heads to Gov. Brian Kemp, who will determine whether or not to signal it into regulation, the AJC’s Martha Dalton studies.
• The Georgia Senate on Monday voted to petition President Donald Trump’s administration to shift Georgia to Atlantic Standard Time, which might put an finish to altering the clocks twice per 12 months, the AJC’s Caleb Groves studies.
• Federal finances cuts have threatened a seaside renourishment program, raising worries on Tybee Island, the AJC’s Adam Van Brimmer and Drew Kann report.

Protester penalties

Gov. Brian Kemp on the Georgia state Capitol earlier this month. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Block a highway or a freeway, threat jail time.

Georgia lawmakers authorized a invoice Monday that will sharply enhance penalties for protesters who hinder streets, sending it to Kemp’s desk.

The measure would make it a excessive and aggravated misdemeanor — punishable by as much as a 12 months in jail and a $5,000 effective — and open protesters to lawsuits for disruptions they trigger.

Republicans say the invoice is designed to maintain roads clear for emergency automobiles, faculty buses and commuters. One supporter invoked photos of potential hurt from demonstrators, from slowing dad and mom attempting to choose up children from faculty to ambulances delayed from disasters.

Democrats fear it goes a lot additional. They warn it might chill protests and goal the sorts of disruptive demonstrations which have lengthy spurred political change.

The 96-69 vote was largely alongside get together strains, simply because it was earlier this month within the Senate. Now it’s as much as Kemp, who has taken a tough line in opposition to traffic-disrupting protests.

Look no additional than when pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked bridges in different cities in 2024. He had a blunt instruction for state authorities if it occurred in Georgia: “Lock their ass up.”

Cha-ching

From left, the 2026 Republican candidates for governor: Attorney General Chris Carr, Rick Jackson, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. (AJC File)

The monetary imbalance within the Georgia race for governor is barely rising.

Roughly $77 million has already been spent or reserved on TV adverts by Republicans jockeying for Georgia’s high job. Democrats, against this, have spent nearly $1 million, largely from former state Sen. Jason Esteves’ marketing campaign.

Now there’s a brand new participant. A gaggle known as Hard Working Georgia Families is including almost $500,000 to the combo this week.

The title would possibly sound acquainted — it echoes Kemp’s federal PAC and favourite slogan. But we’re informed this one is backed by allies of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, one of 4 high contenders competing for the GOP nod.

DA pay

District Attorney Brad Smith (foreground) speaks to Barrow County Superior Court Judge Nicholas Primm throughout a courtroom listening to final 12 months. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Lawmakers on Monday voted to standardize the pay for district attorneys, a transfer aimed toward ensuring these in rural areas aren’t making considerably lower than their metro Atlanta counterparts. But Democrats had some questions in regards to the logic.

Local governments are the first drivers for the pay disparity, as some complement their district attorneys’ salaries greater than others. This bill, if it turns into regulation, would shift the majority of the wage to the state authorities whereas capping native subsidies.

Republicans argued Monday that every one district attorneys must be handled the identical. But only a few weeks in the past, they had been arguing the alternative. They tried to push by way of laws that will have required metro Atlanta district attorneys — and solely metro Atlanta district attorneys — to run in nonpartisan elections. The bill failed.

“Why wouldn’t that reasoning apply here?” Democratic state Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta, requested.

Republican state Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia, known as it a coverage choice. He famous the Legislature handed the same invoice final 12 months for judges.

Far out

Psychedelic medicine are usually not authorized in Georgia or most wherever else within the United States. But Georgia lawmakers handed a invoice Monday that will regulate them anyway, simply in case.

State Sen. Ben Watson famous psychedelic medicine are in superior medical trials for medical makes use of, together with treating post-traumatic stress dysfunction with military veterans.

Watson stated lawmakers wish to forestall what occurred with ketamine, when largely unregulated clinics popped up dishing out the highly effective painkiller. He known as House Bill 717 “sort of a preemptive strike.”

King Scott?

U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Atlanta, is chased by reporters after submitting paperwork to run for reelection on the Capitol. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Thousands of protesters are anticipated to flood Georgia streets this weekend for “No Kings” rallies from Americus to Woodstock. Some candidates are attempting to experience that wave.

Democrat Everton Blair, who is challenging U.S. Rep. David Scott in a May primary, is internet hosting his personal rally at Stone Mountain.

Blair is drawing a blunt comparability between Trump and the longtime Democratic lawmaker as he tries to hyperlink the nationwide protests to his native marketing campaign.

“Georgia’s 13th does not need a king in Donald Trump, and we do not need a king in our congressman,” reads the rally invite. “David Scott is not a king. He does not get to die in office. The stakes are too high.”

Blair is one of a number of Democrats aiming to unseat the 80-year-old incumbent, who’s dealing with scrutiny over his age and well being in a safely blue district.

Under the Gold Dome

A view of the Georgia Capitol final spring. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

The Legislature received’t meet as we speak. Lawmakers will meet in committees. There are 4 legislative days left within the session. Some happenings:

• 9:30 a.m.: Senate Judiciary Non-Civil Committee meets to contemplate Senate Bill 591, which might make it against the law to disrupt a non secular service.
• 10 a.m.: House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee meets to debate Senate Bill 482, which might place restrictions on the general public requesting photographs and movies captured by police.
• 10 a.m.: House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee meets to debate Senate Bill 540, which might require operators of conversational synthetic intelligence providers to take steps to restrict sure actions associated to minors.
• 1 p.m.: Senate Children and Families Committee meets to contemplate House Bill 943, which might set up a pilot program for autism spectrum dysfunction youngsters in foster care.

Listen up

State Rep. John Carson, R-Marietta, speaks on the Capitol earlier this month. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Today on the “Politically Georgia” podcast, the AJC’s Shaddi Abusaid joins the present to speak in regards to the impression of lengthy safety strains at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Then, state Rep. John Carson, R-Marietta, explains why lawmakers voted to droop the state fuel tax.

You can hear and subscribe to “Politically Georgia” for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Have a query or remark for the present? Email us at politicallygeorgia@ajc.com or give us a name at 770-810-5297 and you possibly can be featured on a future episode.

Framework of a deal

President Donald Trump speaks with the media earlier than boarding Air Force One on Monday. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Things are removed from sorted out, however late Monday it was beginning to appear to be the U.S. Senate was pinning down a deal to finish the partial authorities shutdown and pay Transportation Security Administration staff.

Even if an settlement is reached, it should take a number of days for laws to be drawn up and the U.S. House and Senate to take the procedural steps wanted to deliver it to a vote. But the important thing hurdle is Trump, who on Sunday stated he didn’t need Senate Republicans to make a cope with Democrats to finish the partial shutdown except an settlement additionally contains passing of his elections invoice, the SAVE America Act.

Multiple news organizations reported that the primary piece could be fast passage of funding for all of DHS besides for operations tied to immigration enforcement.

Separately, Republicans will use the finances reconciliation course of to cross funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and components, if not all, of the SAVE America Act. Reconciliation would enable Republicans to cross a invoice with out the menace of Senate Democrats utilizing the filibuster to dam it.

A gaggle of GOP senators visited with Trump on the White House on Monday night and returned to the Capitol optimistic.

“I’m going to be working through the night, so hopefully we can land this plane,” U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., informed reporters afterward.

Today in Washington

• Trump will swear in U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin as secretary of Homeland Security.
• The House has night votes scheduled.
• The Senate will vote on a Trump nomination and an Iran conflict powers decision. They might additionally take procedural steps on the SAVE America Act.
• U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., will maintain a joint occasion with presidents of traditionally Black faculties and universities to have a good time introduction of their invoice to extend funding for these establishments.

Immediate resignation

State Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (proper) on the Capitol final April. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

State Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, D-Dawson, resigned from the Senate on Monday and can now not search reelection.

WALB News 10 in Albany reported that Sims’ choice got here on the heels of a medical emergency skilled by her husband.

“My husband is very, very ill, gravely ill. Family comes first,” she stated, in accordance with WALB.

Serving within the Legislature since 2005, Sims was identified for championing the agriculture business all through her tenure within the House after which the Senate. Three Democrats had certified to problem her within the May main for her seat.

Shoutout

Rep. Brian Prince (left), D-Augusta, poses for a photograph throughout Savannah-Chatham Day Legislative Oyster Roast at Georgia Freight Depot in 2024. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Today’s birthday: