TSA PreCheck will remain operational, despite earlier suspension plans

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Feb. 21, 2026, 11:10 PM EST / Updated Feb. 22, 2026, 11:08 AM EST


TSA PreCheck will remain operational for now, a spokesperson for the agency said Sunday, reversing earlier indications that the Department of Homeland Security’s expedited screening program would be suspended amid the department’s funding lapse.

However, the TSA “will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly” depending on “staffing constraints,” the spokesperson added in a statement.

“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 said.

The Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck program allows vetted passengers to forgo customary security check-in lines for quicker passage. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry, which offers similarly rapid check-ins for Americans at U.S. ports of entry, was also suspended. The TSA spokesperson did not address that status of that program on Sunday.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dhs-pausing-tsa-precheck-global-entry-programs-funding-lapse-rcna260114

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IIRC, I expect that this is because that program is paid for by fees paid by those planning to utilize that service versus the program's funding coming totally from "BA" (Budget Authority) funds. It shows how much more Noem is a dumbass.

REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143620239

[LittleGirl]

1. If pre-check and global entry funds aren't refunded

for this, I'm going to demand a refund.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

2. TSA PreCheck is open at airports, agency says, hours after DHS announced suspension

My oldest has to go to a firm wide partner meeting in two weeks. He is hoping that pre-check stays open

I guess they were just joking about TSA Pre-check a few hours ago 😒

Sigh…just get to the airport early enough to offset whatever clownery this administration is dabbling in.

www.cnbc.com/2026/02/22/t...

— Miss Aja (@brat2381.bsky.social) 2026-02-22T16:48:04.334Z

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/22/tsa-airlines-weather-shutdown-blizzard-dhs.html

The Transportation Security Administration said on Sunday that its PreCheck airport screening lanes are operational, hours after the Department of Homeland Security said the faster security checkpoint services would be paused amid 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. 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 pause in the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs was initially scheduled to take effect at 6 a.m. ET on Sunday, DHS said.

The move comes as the U.S. Northeast braces for a massive winter storm that could disrupt airline flights for days.

“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.

[spinbaby]

3. Probably got calls from all the airline CEOs

Can’t be interfering with profits or inconveniencing people who have the means to travel.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. That but also the program is not really run by money that comes from Congress

It's money people pay to them and the agency sets that money aside in its own pot and tracks designated FTEs working on it... and those staff would still be paid during the shutdown as long as those funds are not exhausted (e.g., if they stop accepting applications and no additional money comes in to replensh).

[Mr. Sparkle]

5. I don't think their donors were impressed with that earlier announcement

im not surprised to se they rolled it back so quickly, bunch of clowns