The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may suspend the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA PreCheck program if staffing shortages worsen during the ongoing partial government shutdown, Secretary Kristi Noem said in an interview.
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TSA PreCheck allows approved travelers to move through airport security more quickly by using dedicated screening lanes with fewer requirements, such as not removing shoes, belts, or laptops. However, Noem warned that without sufficient funding, the department may need to prioritize standard security lanes, which serve the majority of passengers.
“As we go forward and without funding for DHS, if we end up in a situation where these TSA officers have to go get other jobs and provide for their families, we’ll have to prioritize where the most travelers go through their security checkpoints,” Noem said. She added that staffing levels will determine which security lanes remain open, emphasizing that standard lanes would likely take precedence due to higher passenger volume.
The warning follows confusion over the weekend when the department appeared to reconsider its earlier position on pausing TSA PreCheck. Noem denied reversing any formal decision, explaining that officials were only discussing contingency plans in case staffing shortages increase due to the shutdown.
Meanwhile, the Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program, which provides expedited customs screening for approved travelers, remains paused as part of the shutdown’s operational impact.
During the previous government shutdown, which lasted 43 days, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry remained operational despite funding disruptions. The current situation highlights growing concerns about how prolonged funding gaps could affect airport operations and traveler convenience.
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Officials said ensuring overall airport security remains the top priority, even if expedited screening programs are temporarily reduced or suspended.