The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs starting Sunday morning. This happens because of a partial government shutdown over funding fights in Congress. The suspension kicks in at 6:00 AM Eastern time on February 22. It's part of steps DHS is taking to manage staff with no new money coming in. Travelers will see big changes at airports across the country.
Key Takeaways
- DHS suspends TSA PreCheck and Global Entry from Sunday at 6 AM ET due to lack of funding.
- Airport police escorts for Congress members and other fast services also stop.
- Regular TSA lines get longer; passengers must remove shoes, belts, and laptops.
- Congress is on recess, but the shutdown hits their travel perks too.
Background
Government shutdowns aren't new. They happen when Congress can't agree on spending bills. This time, the fight centers on DHS funding. Lawmakers from both sides dug in their heels. No deal came before the deadline. DHS, which runs TSA and border programs, now faces empty coffers.
The agency handles airport security and trusted traveler setups. TSA PreCheck lets about 20 million people skip long lines. They keep shoes on. Laptops stay in bags. Global Entry speeds up customs for international flyers. Over 3 million use it yearly. Both programs need paid staff to run.
But without Congress sending cash, DHS must cut back. This shutdown started over a week ago. It's the latest in a string of budget battles. Last year saw similar stalls. Each time, feds pick what to pause. Essential services like basic screening continue. Nice-to-haves go first.
And Congress? They're on recess. That means no votes this week. Families and staff still fly. Now they'll wait in regular lines. No special escorts at airports either. DHS says this frees up workers for must-do tasks.
Travel peaks soon. Spring break looms. Holidays aren't far off either. Millions book flights daily. This news drops right before busy times. Airlines warn of delays already. Weather adds to woes, like that coastal storm hitting the DC area with snow and winds.
Key Details
DHS shared the plan late Friday. Suspensions start Sunday. First hit: enrollment centers. No new applicants. Existing members lose perks too. That means everyone lines up like first-timers.
Impact on Travelers
Picture this. You arrive at security. No PreCheck lane. Shoes off. Belt gone. Laptop out. Liquids in a bag. Lines stretch longer. Waits could double. Or triple. Busiest spots like Atlanta, Dallas, New York feel it worst.
Global Entry users coming home from abroad? Same deal. Regular customs lines. Hours sometimes. Families with kids suffer most. Business trips drag on.
Congress members get no escorts. No fast pass through airports. Their staff and guests join the crowd. One lawmaker called it a wake-up call. Politicians fly often. This hits home.
DHS shifts staff to front-line screening. That's the priority. Border patrols stay funded for now. But trusted traveler ops pause fully.
"This is one of several emergency measures to redirect staffing after Congress failed to provide funding," a DHS spokesperson said.
Numbers tell the story. TSA screens 2 million passengers daily. PreCheck handles 10% of them. Without it, queues build fast. Airports add temp lanes. But staff shortages limit help.
And it's not just air travel. Some ports tie into Global Entry. Delays there too. Cargo checks might slow. Economy feels ripples.
What This Means
Travelers plan around PreCheck. Families book early. Businesses schedule tight. Now chaos brews. Flight delays rise from security backups. Missed connections follow. Airlines like Delta and United prep alerts.
Public anger builds. Long lines frustrate. Social media buzzes already. Calls flood congressional offices. Recess ends soon. Pressure mounts to fix funding.
Economy takes a hit. Tourism dips if lines scare visitors. Businesses lose hours in delays. Daily cost? Billions potentially. Shutdowns drained $11 billion last time.
Congress feels heat. No escorts sting. Voters complain. Lawmakers cut short trips home. Back to D.C. faster maybe.
DHS eyes more cuts if no deal. Paid staff furloughs next. Then deeper slashes. Basic security holds. But strains show.
Fliers adapt. Arrive three hours early. Pack light. Check apps for line waits. Patience wears thin.
Shutdowns test limits. Public tires of repeats. Midterm echoes linger. Fresh faces promised fixes. Yet here we are.
Link to past NASA woes shows feds struggle with funding too, like that rocket rollback for helium fix. Budget fights ripple wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the TSA PreCheck suspension start?
It begins Sunday, February 22, at 6:00 AM Eastern time. All enrollment and use stops immediately.
Will basic TSA screening continue during the shutdown?
Yes. Front-line security operates. But without PreCheck, lines grow much longer for everyone.
How long will this last?
It depends on Congress. Shutdown could end in days or drag weeks. Watch for funding votes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the TSA PreCheck suspension start?
It begins Sunday, February 22, at 6:00 AM Eastern time. All enrollment and use stops immediately.
Will basic TSA screening continue during the shutdown?
Yes. Front-line security operates. But without PreCheck, lines grow much longer for everyone.
How long will this last?
It depends on Congress. Shutdown could end in days or drag weeks. Watch for funding votes.
