TSA Still Operating PreCheck Despite Homeland Security Suspension of Expedited Security Screening Programs

The Transportation Security Administration says its still operating TSA PreCheck Sunday after the Department of Homeland Security announced that it was suspending it and another expedited security screening program, Global Entry, as a result of the partial government shutdown.Air travelers in the fast-lane were expected to face new challenges as DHS ordered the suspension to go into effect at 6:00 a.m. ET on Sunday. However, the additional pain was put on hold by TSA. “At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public. As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly,” the agency wrote on its X account, even as it noted that the social media site was not being monitored due to the shutdown.With the shutdown entering its second week following disagreements in Congress over funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem laid blame for the programs’ suspension squarely at the feet of Democrats. “The American people depend on this department every day, and we are making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians. TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts,” she said in a statement released Saturday night.“This is the third time that Democrat politicians have shut down this department during the 119th Congress,” Ms. Noem said in a statement.Democrats, however, snapped back at the administration. “Trump is willing to let Americans feel the pain of a DHS shutdown so he can play politics. Democrats are ready to fund @fema, @TSA, @USCG & every law-abiding DHS mission—but Republicans refuse meaningful ICE & CBP reforms. Come back with real accountability—or stop pretending this shutdown is anyone else’s fault,” wrote Representative April McClain Delaney of Maryland.With TSA agents now rerouted, the agency confirmed that courtesy and family police escorts for members of Congress at airports were suspended “to allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America’s skies.”TSA PreCheck began in 2013, 12 years after the Transportation Security Administration was created in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks. The program was designed to enable Americans to submit paperwork to earn “trusted traveler” status so they could avoid screening requirements like removing shoes and other indignities while going through magnetometers at the airport. As of 2024, more than 20 million Americans have paid the $78 fee for the five-year “Known Traveler Number.” Ninety-nine airlines participate in the program, which is managed by three independent companies, CLEAR, IDEMIA, and Telos.Global Entry, which allows international travelers to expedite the passport control process, began in 2008 and is used by more than 14.8 million travelers who pass through 77 American and 14 international airports.Travel experts questioned the value of closing the two programs because they are partially automated and tend to reduce the need for TSA personnel. The programs were not interrupted during the most recent six-week government shutdown last fall despite that one being longer and more comprehensive than the current one. “Anyone who has been through TSA PreCheck and Global Entry knows these features allow DHS to do their work with less agents. Global Entry is almost fully automated, using machines. This decision by DHS makes no practical sense,” the author and New York Times diplomatic correspondent, Edward Wong, posted on X.The 1,000-member strong U.S. Travelers Association, which represents organizations in the $1.3 trillion travel industry, called the suspension “extremely disappointing.”“We are disgusted that over the last 90 days, Democrats and Republicans have used air traffic controllers, TSA, CBP and the entire travel experience as a means to achieve political ends,” the group said in an X post. “Travelers should be prioritized, not leveraged. Travel is the gateway to the American economy and Americans should not have their mobility, security or travel experience diminished because elected leaders fail to resolve their differences.”As a blizzard approaches the American Northeast, DHS also said it is also halting all non-disaster-related Federal Emergency Management Agency response efforts to prioritize disaster response.“This is particularly important given this weekend another significant winter storm is forecast to impact the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States,” Ms. Noem said.More than 2,800 flights have been cancelled within the U.S. and between America and other nations, FlightAware reported on Sunday morning, many the result of the expected storms.

TSA Still Operating PreCheck Despite Homeland Security Suspension of Expedited Security Screening Programs

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