Why were TSA PreCheck and Global Entry suspended?

Shutdown forces suspension of expedited travel programs

A partial funding lapse at the federal level prompted the Department of Homeland Security to suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. With appropriations not in place, DHS officials ordered a stop to those fee‑based programs because they depend on ongoing operations and staff funded by current appropriations; in a shutdown, many employees are either furloughed or working without pay and agencies restrict nonessential activities.

The suspension directly affected more than 20 million enrolled travelers who rely on those programs for shorter airport security lines and faster international re‑entry. Airports and airlines warned of longer processing times, and travelers reported having to join standard screening queues. The move also heightened pressure on Congress and the White House, since travel disruptions are visible and politically sensitive.

Who is affected and why:

• Frequent flyers and trusted‑traveler members: lose expedited lanes and wait times increase.
• Airport operations: face higher throughput demands at checkpoints and staffing strains.
• Federal employees: many TSA and CBP personnel continued to work but, in some cases, without pay.

Why this matters

Suspending these programs turns a budget stalemate into an everyday inconvenience for millions and a financial headache for businesses that rely on smooth traveler flow. The disruption underscores how lapses in funding cascade into areas — from national security screening to international business travel — that voters notice quickly, raising the political stakes for negotiators working to reopen the affected agencies.