DHS suspends TSA PreCheck, Global Entry as partial government shutdown continues

By Fox News · Fox News

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry beginning Sunday as a partial government shutdown continues. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Saturday blamed Democrats for shutting down the government, saying they were causing "serious real world consequences." "This is the third time that Democrat politicians have shut down this department during the 119th Congress," Noem said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "Shutdowns have serious real world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security." The suspension of the programs, which allow some travelers to quickly get through airport security, was first reported by The Washington Post, which noted the changes would begin Sunday at 6 a.m. EST. DHS FUNDING BILL FAILS AFTER SCHUMER REJECTS TRUMP’S ICE REFORM OFFER Noem said the department was making "tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians." She said TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would be "prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts." The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), she added, will halt all non-disaster-related response to prioritize disasters. Noem noted the suspension comes as a major storm is expected to hit the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast . NOEM SLAMS DEMS BLOCKING DHS FUNDING BILL CITING TSA, FEMA, COAST GUARD: 'I HOPE THEY COME TO THEIR SENSES' Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, criticized the Trump administration for "idiotically" shutting down the programs "to punish the American people." "This is Trump and Kristi Noem purposely punishing the American people and using them as pawns for their sadistic political games," he said in a statement. "TSA PreCheck and Global Entry REDU…