The Transportation Security Administration announced Sunday that pre-screening lanes at airports are operational, hours after the Department of Homeland Security announced that express security checkpoints were temporarily suspended due to the partial government shutdown.
Travel industry leaders said they received little warning about the changes to PreCheck, a program that allows its 20 million pre-screened members to get through airport security faster than the standard lane. Industry officials spoke with Homeland Security officials over the past few hours and expressed alarm at the sudden decision, the people said.
“At this time, TSA PreCheck continues to operate and there are no changes for travelers,” TSA officials said in a statement. “If staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate them on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly. Escorts for members of Congress and others have been suspended so that our personnel can focus on the mission of protecting America’s skies.”
“Until funding is restored, all travelers should expect procedures that do not compromise their safety,” the agency said.
DHS announced early Sunday morning that the suspension of PreCheck, Global Entry and other programs is scheduled to go into effect at 6 a.m. ET Sunday. As of 12:40 p.m. ET, the updated statement still included the suspension of Global Entry, but removed the mention of PreCheck.
“We are pleased that DHS has decided to continue operating PreCheck and avoid a self-inflicted crisis,” said Jeff Freeman, CEO of US Travel, an industry group whose members include major airlines and hotel chains. Hyatt and marriott international and national tourism bureaus.
The move comes in response to a partial U.S. government shutdown that has left thousands of DHS employees, including TSA airport screeners, working without pay since it began on February 14.
“TSA and CBP are prioritizing general travelers at airports and ports of entry and suspending ceremonial and special privilege escorts,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.
Noem blamed Democrats for the government shutdown. Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse over immigration policy.
“The shutdown has real-world consequences, endangering not only the men and women of DHS who work without pay and their families, but also our national security,” she said. “Americans depend on this department every day, and we are making tough but necessary personnel and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.N.Y.) criticized the Trump administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reform, saying it was “choosing to inflict suffering on the American people rather than adopting common sense.”
DHS did not say whether it plans to reverse the suspension of Global Entry or what prompted the change. The White House referred the investigation from CNBC to DHS.
Travel industry experts sharply criticized the measure before it was rescinded just months after last year’s record federal government shutdown cost airlines millions of dollars and hurt bookings. According to executives.
Industry leaders have consistently complained that air travel has been at the center of repeated shutdowns and have called on lawmakers to ensure essential government workers are paid during the budget lapse.
The 2019 government shutdown ended shortly after a shortage of air traffic controllers disrupted flight operations. The already problematic air traffic controller shortage also spiked during the 2025 government shutdown, disrupting air travel just before the November shutdown.
The fall government shutdown was the longest on record, costing the travel industry and others $6.1 billion, the group said. Approximately 6 million travelers were affected by the disruption.
“A4A is deeply concerned that with the suspension of TSA prescreening and the Global Entry program and another government shutdown, the traveling public will once again be used as a political football,” said Chris Sununu, CEO of Airlines for America. The group represents american airlines, delta airlines, southwest airlines, united airlines and other major carriers.
He added: “This announcement was made at very short notice to travelers, giving them little time to plan and is particularly worrying at a time when air travel is experiencing record increases.”
