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DHS suspending TSA PreCheck, Global Entry programs amid partial shutdown
| USA | general | ✓ Verified - cbsnews.com

DHS suspending TSA PreCheck, Global Entry programs amid partial shutdown

#DHS shutdown #TSA PreCheck #Global Entry #Kristi Noem #Bennie Thompson #FEMA #Winter storm #Federal workforce

📌 Key Takeaways

  • DHS suspends TSA PreCheck and Global Entry amid partial shutdown
  • 13% of federal workforce affected by funding impasse
  • Democrats criticize shutdown as political punishment
  • FEMA prioritizing disaster response amid winter storm
  • TSA employees working without pay for second time

📖 Full Retelling

The partial shutdown is impacting approximately 13% of the federal civilian workforce, affecting not only TSA but also the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency and other DHS agencies responsible for national security. The move drew sharp criticism from Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, who accused President Trump and Noem of 'purposely punishing the American people and using them as pawns for their sadistic political games.' Meanwhile, Noem announced that FEMA would be halting 'all non-disaster related response to prioritize disasters' due to the approaching winter forecasted to impact the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. TSA employees are once again working without pay, mirroring their experience during the 43-day government shutdown that ended in November, which was the longest in U.S. history and primarily driven by Democratic demands regarding Affordable Care Act tax credits.

🏷️ Themes

Government Shutdown, Transportation Security, Border Control, Political Conflict

📚 Related People & Topics

TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck

US trusted traveller program

TSA PreCheck (branded as TSA Pre✓) is a trusted traveler program initiated in December 2013 and administered by the United States Transportation Security Administration that allows selected members of select frequent flyer programs, members of Global Entry, Free and Secure Trade, NEXUS, and SENTRI, ...

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Global Entry

Global Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection program

Global Entry is a program of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection service that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to receive expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports and via the SENTRI and NEXUS lanes by land and sea. As of 2024, Glob...

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Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem

American politician (born 1971)

Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem ( NOHM; née Arnold; born November 30, 1971) is an American politician who is the 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security. A member of the Republican Party, she served as the 33rd governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025 and represented South Dakota's at-large congr...

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Bennie Thompson

Bennie Thompson

American politician and educator (born 1948)

Bennie Gordon Thompson (born January 28, 1948) is an American politician and educator serving as the U.S. representative for Mississippi's 2nd congressional district since 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, Thompson served as the chair of the Committee on Homeland Security from 2007 to 2011 and...

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Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for TSA PreCheck:

👤 Global Entry 7 shared
🌐 Government shutdown 5 shared
🌐 United States Department of Homeland Security 4 shared
🏢 Transportation Security Administration 2 shared
🌐 Airport security 2 shared
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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

The suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs during the partial shutdown will increase security wait times for millions of travelers and strain DHS personnel who are working without pay. This highlights how political disputes over funding can directly impact national security operations and public convenience. The situation also raises concerns about the stability of critical government functions during budgetary standoffs.

Context & Background

  • Partial DHS shutdown began February 14 due to funding dispute
  • Shutdown affects TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard, and Cybersecurity agency
  • Follows previous 43-day government shutdown that ended in November
  • TSA employees are working without pay during the shutdown

What Happens Next

Travelers will experience longer security lines at airports as PreCheck lanes become unavailable. DHS will need to reassess its operational priorities if the shutdown continues, particularly with an approaching winter storm requiring FEMA resources. Congress will face increasing pressure to resolve the funding dispute to restore normal agency operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What programs are being suspended?

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs are suspended during the shutdown.

Why are these programs being suspended?

DHS is prioritizing general travel security and suspending special privilege programs due to limited resources during the funding lapse.

How long will the suspension last?

The suspension will continue for the duration of the partial government shutdown.

Are TSA employees getting paid during the shutdown?

TSA employees are working without pay during the shutdown, as occurred during previous government shutdowns.

Original Source
Politics DHS suspending TSA PreCheck, Global Entry programs amid partial shutdown By Faris Tanyos Faris Tanyos News Editor Faris Tanyos is a news editor for CBSNews.com, where he writes and edits stories and tracks breaking news. He previously worked as a digital news producer at several local news stations up and down the West Coast. Read Full Bio Faris Tanyos February 22, 2026 / 12:29 AM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Some flyers could soon experience longer lines at U.S. airports after the Department of Homeland Security on Saturday confirmed it would suspend the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck and Global Entry programs as the agency contends with a partial shutdown that has entered its second week. In a statement provided to CBS News late Saturday night, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that TSA and Customs and Border Protection "are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts." The partial shutdown took effect on Feb. 14 after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on DHS funding over opposition from Democrats who demanded changes to the agency in the wake of the deadly shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last month by federal immigration agents. Along with the TSA, the partial shutdown is impacting the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency and other agencies within DHS that safeguard national security. About 13% of the total federal civilian workforce is implicated. The move drew criticism from Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security. "These nitwits are at it again," Thompson said in a statement, accusing President Trump and Noem of "purposely punishing the American people and using them as pawns for their sadistic political games. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry REDUCE airport lines and ease ...
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Source

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