The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed on Sunday that its TSA PreCheck program will remain operational, despite the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) having announced a partial shutdown of its operations earlier in the day. The TSA stated in a statement that travelers can continue to use the expedited screening program without interruption.

Continuity Amid Shutdown

TSA PreCheck allows eligible travelers to bypass standard security lines at airports, using a dedicated, shorter line. The TSA said in a statement that it would ‘evaluate the situation as staffing constraints arise’ and adjust operations accordingly. However, the agency made it clear that the program would not be suspended at this time.

The DHS had previously announced that it would pause both the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs starting at 6 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday. The decision was made to ‘refocus department personnel on the majority of travelers.’ However, the TSA later reversed the decision for its PreCheck program, while Global Entry remained suspended, according to the DHS website.

Shutdown Measures and Funding Deadlock

The move is part of a broader set of measures taken by the DHS following the lapse of its funding on February 14. Lawmakers have been deadlocked over a proposal to restore funding, with no resolution in sight. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated in a Sunday morning statement that the department was making ‘tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions.’

Noem accused Democrats of endangering national security by withholding their votes to continue funding the agency. She also announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would halt all non-disaster related response efforts to prioritize actions related to the impending major snowstorm on the East Coast.

According to the DHS, federal assistance will not continue for ‘legacy disasters’ during the shutdown. The agency will only carry out activities for new or recent disasters ‘requiring immediate emergency action to protect lives or prevent catastrophic damage.’

Political Tensions and Security Concerns

Some Democratic lawmakers questioned the impact of suspending priority security screening services during the shutdown. Representative Bennie G. Thompson, the party’s top member of the Committee on Homeland Security, stated that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry ‘reduce airport lines and ease the burden on DHS staff.’

He accused the Trump administration of ‘purposely punishing the American people’ by suspending these programs. Thompson added that the decision could further complicate the already strained operations at airports, where TSA PreCheck has been a critical tool for managing passenger flow.

Global Entry, which allows travelers to speed through customs upon re-entering the U.S., was also suspended. However, the TSA PreCheck program has been kept running, likely due to the high demand for expedited screening and the potential for increased delays if the program were to be suspended.

The DHS funding lapse has not halted most of its operations, and department leaders have stated that essential functions will continue. ICE and Customs and Border Protection are expected to remain largely unaffected, even if the shutdown continues for an extended period.

About 95 percent of the TSA’s roughly 60,000 employees are required to work during a shutdown. However, the longer the funding standoff lasts, the greater the risk of delays at airports, as unpaid workers may begin to call in sick or not show up for work.

Democrats are also pushing for a range of new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including requiring agents to obtain warrants from judges to make arrests in homes, mandating visible identification, and prohibiting face coverings. Republicans have objected to these demands, which they consider overly burdensome.

The ongoing funding dispute highlights the broader political tensions within the DHS, which oversees both TSA and ICE. The agency has been under renewed scrutiny following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, which have raised concerns about the conduct of immigration enforcement agents.

As the shutdown continues, travelers may feel the effects of the funding lapse, particularly if the situation extends beyond a few days. The TSA has emphasized that it will continue to monitor staffing levels and adjust operations accordingly, but the uncertainty surrounding the funding freeze remains a concern for both the agency and the traveling public.