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DHS suspends TSA Precheck, Global Entry as airlines brace for blizzard
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DHS suspends TSA Precheck, Global Entry as airlines brace for blizzard

#TSA PreCheck #Global Entry #Government Shutdown #Winter Storm #Airline Flights #Homeland Security #Travel Industry #Airport Security

📌 Key Takeaways

  • DHS suspended TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs due to government shutdown
  • The suspension affects over 20 million PreCheck members who accounted for 34% of passengers
  • Airlines have canceled over 6,000 flights and waived fees due to approaching blizzard
  • Travel industry groups criticize the move as using travelers as political leverage
  • Previous shutdown cost the industry $6.1 billion and affected 6 million travelers

📖 Full Retelling

The Department of Homeland Security on Sunday suspended the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry security programs that speed through airport checkpoints, citing a partial government shutdown, as the U.S. Northeast braces for a massive winter storm that could disrupt airline flights for days. The pause took effect at 6 a.m. ET on Sunday, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem explaining that TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at airports and ports of entry while suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts. TSA PreCheck has more than 20 million active members available at over 200 U.S. airports, with PreCheck members accounting for 34 percent of passengers screened at airport checkpoints, according to TSA data. This suspension comes amid a partial government shutdown that began on February 14 following congressional lawmakers' failure to reach a deal to fund DHS, creating a perfect storm of travel disruptions as airlines brace for the approaching blizzard. The travel industry has reacted sharply to the move, which comes just months after last year's federal government shutdown affected air travel and dented bookings, with industry leaders warning that travelers are once again being used as political pawns in budget negotiations.

🏷️ Themes

Government Shutdown, Travel Disruption, Airport Security, Airline Industry

📚 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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Government shutdown

Cessation of government functions due to failure to fund

A government shutdown occurs when the legislative branch does not pass key bills which fund or authorize the operations of the executive branch, resulting in the cessation of some or all operations of a government. Government shutdowns can reduce public trust in politics. In presidential systems, th...

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Winter storm (disambiguation)

Topics referred to by the same term

A winter storm is a storm in the winter, which produces precipitation that occurs in below-zero temperatures.

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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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Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for TSA PreCheck:

👤 Global Entry 7 shared
🏢 Transportation Security Administration 6 shared
🌐 United States Department of Homeland Security 4 shared
🌐 Government shutdown 4 shared
🌐 Clear 4 shared
View full profile

Mentioned Entities

TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck

US trusted traveller program

Government shutdown

Cessation of government functions due to failure to fund

Winter storm (disambiguation)

Topics referred to by the same term

 Global Entry

Global Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection program

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

The suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry during a major winter storm creates a perfect storm of travel disruption, combining government dysfunction with natural disaster impacts. This affects millions of travelers and risks overwhelming airport security systems, potentially causing widespread delays and cancellations. The travel industry warns this could repeat the economic damage from previous government shutdowns.

Context & Background

  • Partial government shutdown began February 14 due to congressional funding failure
  • TSA PreCheck has over 20 million members and accounted for 34% of passengers screened
  • Airlines canceled over 6,000 flights due to East Coast blizzard from Virginia to Maine

What Happens Next

Travelers will face longer security lines and potential delays as all passengers go through standard screening procedures. Airlines may implement additional cancellations or schedule adjustments as the storm impacts combine with reduced security efficiency. Industry groups will likely increase pressure on Congress to resolve the government shutdown to restore normal operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were TSA PreCheck and Global Entry suspended?

DHS suspended these programs due to the partial government shutdown, prioritizing general travelers over special programs during limited staffing.

How many people are affected by this suspension?

Over 20 million active TSA PreCheck members are affected, representing about one-third of all airport screenings.

When did the suspension take effect?

The suspension took effect at 6 a.m. ET on Sunday morning with extremely short notice to travelers.

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Original Source
The Department of Homeland Security on Sunday suspended the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry security programs that speed through airport security checkpoints, citing a partial government shutdown . The move comes as the U.S. Northeast braces for a massive winter storm that could disrupt airline flights for days. The pause took effect at 6 a.m. ET on Sunday, DHS said. "TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. TSA PreCheck has more than 20 million active members, according to an agency count in 2024. "PreCheck members accounted for 34 percent of passengers screened at airport checkpoints," The New York Times reported in August 2025, citing a TSA spokesman. The program is available at more than 200 U.S. airports, the newspaper noted. The pause in TSA PreCheck and Global Entry security programs is a result of the partial government shutdown that began on Feb. 14, following congressional lawmakers' failure to reach a deal to fund DHS. Airlines have canceled more than 6,000 flights through Monday and waived cancellation and change fees for airports spanning Virginia to Maine ahead of the East Coast blizzard. Travel industry members sharply criticized the move, which comes just months after last year's federal government shutdown affected air travel and dented bookings, according to executives. "A4A is deeply concerned that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs are being suspended and that the traveling public will be, once again, used as a political football amid another government shutdown," said Airlines for America CEO Chris Sununu. The group represents American Airlines , Delta Air Lines , Southwest Airlines , United Airlines and other major carriers. "The announcement was issued with extremely short notice to travelers, giving them little time to plan accordingly, which is especially troubling at this time of re...
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Source

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