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TSA PreCheck Spared from Shutdown Woes, For Now
Good news for frequent flyers! The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) popular PreCheck program, designed to whisk travelers through airport security lines, remains operational, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This comes after a brief period of uncertainty over the weekend, which saw the TSA announcing a planned suspension of the service.
On Sunday, the DHS released a statement confirming, “At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public.” They added a caveat, however, noting that “As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly.”
The initial announcement on Saturday by the TSA had indicated that both PreCheck and the Global Entry program would be suspended starting Sunday at 6 a.m. EST. This reversal provides a sigh of relief for many, as PreCheck allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to enjoy expedited screening at hundreds of U.S. airports.
The back-and-forth drama unfolded amidst a partial government shutdown that commenced on January 31st, when funding for several agencies, including the DHS, lapsed. The Trump administration has attributed the shutdown to Democrats, who have reportedly refused to approve funding bills for the DHS without agency reforms.
Adding to the tensions, the DHS has faced increasing scrutiny following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year during a large-scale operation.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem took to her personal X account on Sunday to criticize Democratic lawmakers, stating, “Democrats in Congress have chosen to not fund @DHSgov, which means that all of our TSA workers who showed up today are not getting paid.” She further condemned the situation as “political theater” that “is only making it hard on them and their families.”
Democrats, however, have countered these claims, arguing that suspending programs like PreCheck and Global Entry would only exacerbate airport wait times and increase the burden on already stretched DHS staff. Rep.
Bennie Thompson, D-Miss, and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, vehemently stated, “This is [President Donald] Trump and Kristi Noem purposely punishing the American people and using them as pawns for their sadistic political games.” He continued, “Trump and Kristi are making your lives harder — and your travel less safe — all on purpose because they know you don’t trust them.”
While PreCheck has been granted a reprieve, the Global Entry program, which facilitates quicker passport control and immigration for international travelers, remains suspended. Travelers are advised to stay updated on the status of these programs as the government shutdown continues.