U.S. airlines raise pressure on Washington to get help.

U.S. airlines and unions redoubled their efforts on Wednesday to convince lawmakers to add another $25 billion in aid, but hopes for a deal this month were dashed as lawmakers focused on a political battle over a Supreme Court vacancy, Reuters reported.

See also: American Airlines would lay off 19,000 employees in October if government aid is not extended.

The industry has been waiting for Congress to approve a $1.5 trillion coronavirus aid package with another cycle of airline payroll support before tens of thousands of workers are left without their jobs when the current program expires.

See also: Delta and Latam Airlines receive approval in Brazil for Joint Venture agreement.

However, a dispute over the Supreme Court seat that became vacant after Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death Friday has derailed those prospects, said Loren Thompson, director of operations at the Lexington Institute, a Virginia-based think tank.

“The airline rescue matters relatively little to Congress compared to the current debate over a Ginsburg successor. Before the fight for the Supreme Court there might have been some common ground, but when the system is overpolarized, consensus is impossible.

Speaking to CNBC on Wednesday, Southwest Airlines LUV.N. CEO Gary Kelly said he is “hopeful” that Washington lawmakers can reach agreement on more aid for the airlines, despite the stalling of the overall coronavirus aid bill.