Government Shutdown Hits Travelers: PreCheck, Global Entry Suspended

The more than 20 million Americans who pay for expedited airport security with TSA PreCheck will be stuck with everyone else as long as the government shutdown continues.

The partial government shutdown has resulted in the temporary suspension of both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck and Global Entry security programs – a move Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said was designed to prioritize the general pool of travelers.

“Shutdowns have serious real world consequences,” Noem said, adding, “TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts.”

The two programs work in tandem to speed up security lines for departing travelers. TSA PreCheck allows registered travelers to check in for flights more quickly. Pre-approved travelers are not required to remove electronics from their bags, and security lines often move through in ten minutes or less.

For arriving travelers, the Global Entry program allows them to use an automated kiosk equipped with facial recognition software to avoid the long customs lines and complete passport verification. It is designed to eliminate the need to stand in long customs lines when returning to the United States from abroad. Travelers who pay for the Global Entry program also receive the benefits offered to TSA PreCheck members.

Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee released a statement claiming that the suspension of those programs was entirely political and accused DHS of intentionally punishing travelers.

“TRUMP’S DHS IS PUNISHING TRAVELERS. 

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry reduce lines and ease the burden on DHS staff [sic]

But Kristi Noem and her ‘confidant’ Corey Lewandowski are kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure

. They’re ruining your travel on purpose,” the statement posted to X read.

TSA released a similar statement at the start of the shutdown, blaming Democrats for leveraging the TSA in their efforts to force President Donald Trump’s administration into making changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“The government shutdown will cease pay for all of TSA’s more than 63,000-person workforce and suspend non-essential services. Over 99% of that workforce resides in communities across the country,” Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl said in a statement. “Democrats should fund the department and stop punishing our workforce and the everyday travelers they serve. A prolonged shutdown could result in significant attrition and increased callout rates of our officers including noticeable impacts at airports, including delays, longer wait times and cancelled flights.”