TSA PreCheck Reopens, Global Entry Remains Closed Due to Government Shutdown

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has walked back a planned suspension of its expedited screening programs. While the agency remains in the grip of a funding lapse, the experience at the airport this week will look different than originally feared.

Here is the current operational reality as the DHS navigates a partial shutdown.

What is Open During the Shutdown?

The expected 6 a.m. ET Sunday shutdown of TSA PreCheck did not materialize. Instead, a TSA spokesperson confirmed the program remains operational for the moment. However, travelers should note that consistency is not guaranteed.

The agency “will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly” based on “staffing constraints,” according to an official statement.

Global Entry: Unlike PreCheck, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program was suspended. The TSA spokesperson did not provide an update on its status Sunday.

Congressional Perks: In a move to maximize resources, “Courtesy escorts, such as those for Members of Congress, have been suspended to allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America’s skies.”

The Funding Divide

The current shutdown, which began Feb. 14, has created a stark disparity in how different federal agencies are compensated. While many DHS employees are working without pay, others remain fully funded due to prior legislation.

Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the strain this puts on the workforce, stating: “Shutdowns have serious real world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security.”

The Root Cause

The funding lapse is tied to ongoing negotiations between the White House and Senate Democrats. The friction point involves proposed changes to DHS and ICE following a federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, during which two people were killed by federal law enforcement.

Secretary Noem has placed the blame on congressional Democrats, arguing that the lack of funding comes at a particularly dangerous time.

Environmental Complications

A major winter storm currently moving through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast has added urgency to the staffing situation. Noem noted that the TSA and CBP will prioritize “the general traveling population” to keep people moving safely during the chaos.

“This is particularly important given this weekend another significant winter storm is forecast to impact the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States,” Noem stated on Saturday.

While "critical" employees continue to report for duty to ensure safety, the long-term viability of programs like PreCheck remains tied to the "staffing constraints" of a workforce currently missing its paychecks.