Agency suspends courtesy escorts for Congress members while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warns unpaid officers may seek other jobs
Video DHS funding fight: Rep. Burchett accuses Democrats of 'causing pain' amid shutdown Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., discusses the Department of Homeland Security funding battle, criticizing Democrats for 'causing pain' by blocking funding for agencies like FEMA and TSA.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is taking emergency measures amid a partial DHS shutdown that dragged on for another week, as a top lawmaker who oversees transportation warned of potential economic fallout at airports.
While Democrats have held up funding for DHS, their intended target — ICE — remains resourced due to a $75 billion infusion from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year.
Over the weekend, several reports claimed DHS was prepared to pause TSA PreCheck — the program that allows qualified frequent fliers a speedier pass through security.
But a TSA spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that PreCheck remains "operational with no change for the traveling public."
TSA agents scan luggage at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Crystal City, Va. (Valerie Plesch/Getty Images)
"As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly," the spokesperson said.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also told CNN on Wednesday that one contingency could arise in which unpaid TSA officers may need to find alternative employment to provide for their families.
At that point, "we’ll have to prioritize where the most travelers go through their security checkpoints," she said.
So far, there have been no noticeable flight delays due to the TSA shutdown.
As of now, the main TSA program suspended is that of "courtesy escorts" for dignitaries, including members of Congress. Escorts have been paused to "allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America’s skies," a TSA spokesperson said.
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Travelers move through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday at Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, November 25, 2020. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)
"Until funding is restored, all travelers should expect a process that does not sacrifice security," the agency said in a statement.
However, the top lawmaker on the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation told Fox News Digital that the program does not appear to be universally in place, noting he either goes through TSA security like other travelers or occasionally gets assistance from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office when flying to Washington.
"I personally haven't seen too much of a slowdown because they are essential personnel and they're gonna be working," Chairman Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital in an interview Wednesday.
"The problem is, those folks — they need their paychecks. And so, we're making them work without a paycheck and that's just not right," he said, adding that he plans to ask DHS about long-term contingencies if the shutdown drags on.
"If somehow this is going to be affecting service in any way, I would expect more people not to be showing up to work, but again, I haven't had direct reports from TSA telling me that travel has been disrupted."
Gimenez said that for a district like his — South Dade and the Florida Keys — air travel is inextricably tied to its economy. It is served by two airports: the major international hub of MIA and the much smaller, tourism-powered EYW.
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"Obviously, in Miami, a lot of people know who I am, and a lot of those agents know who I am, and they’ve acted very professionally," he said when asked if he has heard directly from constituents or agents about the shutdown.
A source familiar with the situation also said Miami International Airport is the city’s top employer and the region’s leading economic generator.
Gimenez agreed, adding that when MIA faces any adversities, it ripples into the surrounding area.
"The longer this goes on, I would think you're going to see some travel disruptions due to TSA, due to, you know, those folks that aren't getting paid – and [then onto] hotels, and it’ll affect everything. It affects everything."
