The Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday that it is suspending enrollment in its TSA PreCheck and Global Entry trusted‑traveler programs until federal funding is restored, citing the ongoing government shutdown.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican leaders framed the suspension as a temporary administrative action necessitated by the lack of appropriations, with House Majority Leader Mike Johnson (R‑LA) noting that the programs will resume once funding is secured and emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility.
The Committee on Homeland Security’s Republican members said the pause does not affect national security, adding that existing members can continue to use the services while new enrollments are on hold.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers argued that the pause will inconvenience travelers and could hurt businesses that rely on smooth cross‑border movement, with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D‑MA) saying the measure disproportionately affects frequent flyers and urging Congress to approve a short‑term funding bill.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus released a statement calling the suspension “an avoidable burden on American families” and urging the House and Senate to prioritize a funding solution that restores the programs without delay.
What the Numbers Show
According to DHS data, TSA PreCheck has roughly 13 million active members and Global Entry about 7 million, meaning the suspension could affect up to 20 million travelers seeking expedited processing (DHS FY 2025 Budget in Brief).
The DHS budget for the Trusted Traveler Programs office was $1.2 billion for fiscal year 2025, with enrollment fees generating $850 million in revenue, highlighting the financial scale of the programs (DHS FY 2025 Budget in Brief).
The Bottom Line
The suspension remains in effect until Congress passes a funding measure, and while current members retain travel benefits, the pause may pressure lawmakers to resolve the shutdown quickly to avoid broader disruptions to U.S. travel and commerce.