TSA Changes Its Mind on TSA PreCheck Decision

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now in the midst of a partial shutdown as lawmakers have yet to agree on a plan to fund the agency. Obviously, this could have ripple effects for travelers as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which runs the security checkpoints at the airport, is an arm of DHS.

On Saturday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem indicated that two key TSA features would be temporarily suspended as a result of the DHS shutdown, but it seems like the agency has changed its mind in that regard.

DHS Shutdown Impacting TSA

Although the federal government officially resumed operations in November of 2025, following what was the longest full government shutdown in history, the reopening was only a short-term solution put in place while lawmakers worked to secure long-term funding.

In the months and weeks since, Congress has approved multiple spending measures to keep the government running. However, DHS remains the lone federal agency without funding for the rest of fiscal year 2026, which extends through September 30. Consequently, a partial government shutdown has taken effect, affecting DHS and, by extension, the TSA.

While TSA employees are eventually paid following a shutdown like this, they do typically have to work without pay until the government shutdown ends

Depending on the length of the shutdown and how many paychecks TSA agents miss, however, a shutdown may lead to staffing shortages and delays, as it did in the fall. These staffing shortages could, in turn, lead to delays for travelers at the airport.

TSA PreCheck Still Operational

On Saturday, the Washington Post reported that the TSA was pausing its TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs, which are popular amongst regular travelers seeking a more seamless security process.

The decision was seemingly confirmed by Noem as she said in a statement that the agency is “making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions” and prioritizing the “general traveling population” at airports and ports of entry.

The programs were expected to be suspended beginning on Sunday morning. However, the TSA seems to have changed its mind on that decision.

"At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public. As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly," the TSA wrote in a post on X.

"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 statement continued in a follow-up post.

We'll have to see whether or not this changes in the coming days.