DHS reverses on TSA PreCheck pause as snowstorm scatters travel
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A passenger walks in a terminal at LaGuardia airport in New York City on Jan. 30. Photo: Charly Triballeau/ AFP via Getty Images
It's a perfect storm: As extreme winter weather triggers thousands of flight cancellations, the federal government created more travel questions.
- The Department of Homeland Security announced Sunday it would suspend two popular travel programs, including TSA PreCheck, due to the ongoing partial government shutdown. But hours later, it seemingly reversed course, saying PreCheck remained operational.
Why it matters: Air travel has historically been a major pain point during government shutdowns, which trade association Airlines for America President Chris Sununu says makes the public a "political football."
Driving the news: DHS announced early Sunday morning that it would suspend TSA PreCheck lanes and the Global Entry service to "refocus" personnel on "the majority of travelers."
- The department also said it would halt all non-disaster-related Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) response efforts and suspend courtesy and family police escorts at airports for lawmakers.
Yes, but: A TSA spokesperson confirmed to Axios later Sunday that TSA PreCheck remained "operational with no change for the traveling public."
- "As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly," the spokesperson said in a statement.
- They confirmed that courtesy escorts had been suspended. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, which oversees the Global Entry program, did not respond to Axios' request to confirm its status.
- DHS did not immediately respond to Axios' request for an explanation, but it appeared to update its original announcement to reflect TSA's statement.
Airlines had already alerted customers of the suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry on Sunday morning, noting they may have to use standard TSA entry instead.
What they're saying: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement that the department was "making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians."
- But Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security argued the department was "ruining" travel "on purpose" by "kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure."
- U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement that the announced suspension of the programs was "extremely disappointing."
- He continued, "Travelers should be prioritized, not leveraged."
Catch up quick: It's been some 10 days since lawmakers left town without a deal to fund DHS.
- Democratic leaders are demanding immigration enforcement reforms after a string of federal law enforcement shootings this year.
Meanwhile, nature is wreaking its own havoc: The DHS lapse comes as blizzard warnings blanket millions across the Northeast.
- More than 2,900 flights have been canceled within, into or out of the U.S. as of Sunday morning, per tracker FlightAware.
- Airlines have issued advisories warning travelers of disruptions and offering fee waivers and cancellations.
Go deeper: What a government shutdown could mean for air travel
