The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on February 22, 2026, that its PreCheck program would continue operating, hours after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the expedited security service would be suspended during the partial government shutdown.
“At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public,” TSA officials said in a statement. “As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly.”
Travel industry leaders said they received little warning of the initial changes to PreCheck, a program serving 20 million pre-screened members who can pass through airport security faster than standard lanes.
Government shutdown impact
The partial government shutdown began February 14, 2026 after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security. The shutdown has left thousands of DHS workers, including TSA airport screeners, working without pay.
“Shutdowns have real world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in a statement.
Democrat members of Congress are getting paid, but they’re withholding @TSA workers pay checks.
Democrats in Congress have chosen to not fund @DHSgov, which means that all of our TSA workers who showed up today are not getting paid.
The men and women of TSA work hard to make… pic.twitter.com/JdPsM3ozXZ
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) February 22, 2026
As part of emergency measures, TSA suspended courtesy escorts, including those for members of Congress, to allow officers to focus on screening passengers. The agency said this would help preserve limited staffing resources during the funding lapse.
Airlines for America, a trade association representing major carriers, criticized the initial announcement’s timing, saying it was “issued with extremely short notice to travelers, giving them little time to plan accordingly.”
A4A President and CEO Chris Sununu’s statement after news that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs are being suspended: https://t.co/EkCDC5GPeV
— Airlines for America (@AirlinesDotOrg) February 22, 2026
Ongoing uncertainty
While PreCheck operations continue, TSA warned that travelers should expect potential changes as staffing constraints arise. The agency emphasized that security would not be compromised regardless of operational adjustments.
Global Entry processing at participating airports remains suspended, with officers reassigned to handle other arriving travelers. Global Entry members can use standard processing lanes for US citizens and permanent residents or visitor lanes as appropriate.
The disruptions come as a major winter storm is expected to hit the East Coast through Monday, with nine out of ten flights already canceled at major airports including New York’s John F Kennedy Airport (JFK), La Guardia International Airport (LGA), and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
