The impacts of the partial government shutdown on U.S. Department of Homeland Security funding are beginning to be felt at airports nationwide.
Officials at Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport – Mississippi’s largest – said Sunday morning that DHS had informed them that the Transportation Security Administration is suspending its PreCheck and Global Entry programs, which both streamline the security process for some flyers.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has suspended TSA PreCheck & Global Entry due to the partial DHS shutdown. Longer security wait times may occur,” a social media post from the airport reads, urging travelers to arrive earlier than they usually would.
Jackson’s was one of the numerous airports across the country to convey the DHS security announcement.
However, not long after the DHS announcement, the TSA said its PreCheck program would remain operational for the time being. It was not immediately clear whether Global Entry would be affected.
“As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly,” the agency said.
The turmoil is tied to a partial government shutdown that began Feb. 14 after lawmakers failed to reach agreement on DHS funding. While the funding lapse affects multiple DHS agencies, including TSA, the agency primarily at the crux of the conflict is Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Republicans and Democrats largely agree on some ICE policies – such as agents having to wear body cameras – but Democrats want agents to unmask and guarantees that proper judicial warrants will be obtained, among other accountability reforms.
Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) explained during a Friday interview that every spending bill has been agreed upon and approved by the White House apart from a bill directing funds to DHS.
“Of the 12 spending bills, this is the only spending bill that is still outstanding. The president has signed the other 11 spending bills into law, and so, all other government agencies are funded until the end of September,” Guest said.
Coming on the heels of a record, 43-day government shutdown that took place last fall and created significant staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and TSA agents, Guest predicted airports would soon be affected this time around.
“We see the potential for a slowdown in air travel, which we saw during the previous shutdown,” he said. “I think over probably the next week or week and a half, you’re going to see more and more of the impact.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.