NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 The Transportation Security Administration said Sunday that its PreCheck program would remain operational despite an earlier announcement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that the airport security service was being suspended during the partial government shutdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly,\u201d the agency said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not immediately clear whether Global Entry, another airport service, would be affected. PreCheck and Global Entry are designed to help speed registered travelers through security lines, and suspensions would likely cause headaches and delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The turmoil is tied to a partial government shutdown that began Feb. 14 after Democrats and the White House were unable to reach a deal on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats have been demanding changes to immigration operations that are core to President Donald Trump\u2019s deportation campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Homeland Security previously said it was taking \u201cemergency measures to preserve limited funds.\u201d Among the steps listed were \u201cending Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck lanes and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry service, to refocus Department personnel on the majority of travelers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement on Saturday night that \u201cshutdowns have serious real world consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One group of fliers will definitely be affected, according to TSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCourtesy escorts, such as those for Members of Congress, have been suspended to allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America\u2019s skies,\u201d the agency said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Airlines for America, a trade group representing major carriers, said Saturday night that \u201cit\u2019s past time for Congress to get to the table and get a deal done.\u201d It also criticized the announcement by saying it was \u201cissued with extremely short notice to travelers, giving them little time to plan accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security criticized Homeland Security handling of airport security after the initial announcement on Saturday night. They accused the administration of \u201ckneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sen. Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, said Noem\u2019s actions are part of an administration strategy to distract from other issues and shift responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis administration is trying to weaponize our government, trying to make things intentionally more difficult for the American people as a political leverage,\u201d he told CNN on Sunday. \u201cAnd the American people see that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n