Tuesday, February 24, 2026-The initial move to suspend TSA PreCheck — the popular trusted‑traveler program that lets millions of flyers pass through airport security faster — was announced as part of emergency measures tied to the partial DHS funding lapse, which began on Feb. 14, 2026 when Congress failed to pass appropriations.
DHS officials said they planned to halt PreCheck (along with Global Entry) to conserve limited staff and resources during the shutdown, redirecting personnel to core passenger‑screening duties as budget strain mounted. This shift triggered confusion and concern among travelers and the travel industry, especially during a busy travel period.
However, within hours of that announcement, DHS reversed course and said TSA PreCheck would remain operational for the traveling public. The decision came after pressure from the White House, airline and travel industry leaders, and lawmakers who warned that suspending PreCheck could lead to longer security lines, chaos at airports, and unnecessary disruption for millions of flyers.
Officials said they would instead manage PreCheck lanes on a case‑by‑case basis depending on staffing at individual airports, rather than imposing a blanket shutdown. Meanwhile, Global Entry — a separate expedited customs program — remains paused under the shutdown.
Experts and critics pointed out that completely shutting down PreCheck might worsen operational strain rather than relieve it, because the program helps streamline screening and lets TSA officers focus on higher‑risk passengers. The abrupt reversal reflects both the logistical challenges of adjusting airport operations amid staffing shortages and the political sensitivity of disrupting a widely used service during an ongoing government funding fight.
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