TSA PreCheck to Remain Open Despite Government Shutdown – For Now
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Sunday that its PreCheck program would remain operational despite an earlier statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicating a suspension of...
- “As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly,” the agency said in a statement.
- Reports from airports across the country indicated minimal disruption as of midday Sunday, with wait times at security checkpoints remaining below 15 minutes for most major international airports,...
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Sunday that its PreCheck program would remain operational despite an earlier statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicating a suspension of the airport security service during the ongoing partial government shutdown. The reversal came after widespread concern about potential disruptions to air travel.
“As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly,” the agency said in a statement. This suggests that while the program is currently functioning, its continued operation is contingent on available personnel.
Reports from airports across the country indicated minimal disruption as of midday Sunday, with wait times at security checkpoints remaining below 15 minutes for most major international airports, according to the TSA’s app. Travelers interviewed reported no immediate changes to their screening experience.
Amy Wainscott, 42, traveling from Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to Dallas Love Field, Texas, said she was unaware of the initial suspension announcement until after completing the PreCheck process. “When we got to the airport this morning, everything was running as usual,” she stated. “It seemed like nothing had changed.”
Jean Fay, 54, experienced a similar situation at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, passing through TSA PreCheck without issue on a 6 a.m. Flight to Texas. She only learned of the potential suspension while connecting in Austin. “I started getting the alerts when I landed in Austin,” she said.
The status of Global Entry, a Customs and Border Protection program offering expedited customs processing for pre-approved travelers, remained unclear for a period. The initial DHS announcement had included its suspension, but the TSA’s statement on Sunday focused solely on PreCheck.
Both TSA PreCheck, established in 2013, and Global Entry have enrolled millions of Americans seeking to expedite their travel experience. As of February 2026, more than 20 million Americans are enrolled in TSA PreCheck, with many also holding Global Entry memberships. Global Entry facilitates faster entry into the United States for pre-vetted, low-risk travelers arriving from abroad.
The uncertainty surrounding these programs stems from a partial government shutdown that began on , after Democrats and the White House failed to reach an agreement on funding legislation for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats have been seeking modifications to the administration’s immigration enforcement policies, particularly regarding deportation operations.
The potential for security disruptions coincides with the approach of a major winter storm along the East Coast. As of Sunday, approximately 90 percent of flights scheduled to depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Boston Logan International Airport for Monday had been cancelled.
Prior to reversing course, the DHS had stated it was implementing “emergency measures to preserve limited funds,” including the potential suspension of PreCheck and Global Entry lanes to refocus personnel on standard security procedures.
The U.S. Travel Association welcomed the TSA’s decision to maintain PreCheck operations. “We are pleased that DHS has decided to keep PreCheck operational and avoid a crisis of its own creation,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the organization.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem initially stated on Saturday evening that “shutdowns have serious real-world consequences.”
The TSA also announced the suspension of courtesy escorts for members of Congress, redirecting those personnel to focus on core security duties.
Airlines for America (A4A), a trade group representing major U.S. Airlines, criticized the initial announcement as being made with “extremely short notice to travelers, giving them little time to plan accordingly.” The organization expressed “deep concern” over the potential suspension of the programs, characterizing it as using the traveling public “as a political football” during the shutdown.
Democratic members of the House Committee on Homeland Security criticized the DHS’s handling of airport security following the initial announcement, accusing the administration of undermining programs designed to enhance travel efficiency, and safety.
Senator Andy Kim, a Democrat from New Jersey, suggested the administration’s actions were part of a broader strategy to deflect attention from other issues and shift blame. “This administration is trying to use our government as a weapon, trying to intentionally make things more difficult for the American people as political leverage,” he told CNN on Sunday. “And the American people see that.”
The situation remains fluid, with the TSA indicating its willingness to adjust operations based on evolving staffing levels. The ongoing government shutdown and the potential for further disruptions to travel services underscore the vulnerability of critical infrastructure during periods of political impasse.