TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Suspended at Houston Airports

Security checkpoint wait times remain manageable despite program shutdowns

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs were shut down at airports across the United States on Sunday morning, including at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport in Houston. The move was due to a partial government shutdown and lack of Department of Homeland Security funding. While the suspensions were meant to "preserve limited funds and personnel," security line wait times remained 25 minutes or less at both Houston airports in the first hours after the programs were suspended.

Why it matters

The shutdown of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs at major airports like Houston's could lead to significantly longer security checkpoint wait times for travelers, causing disruptions and inconvenience. However, the initial impact appears to have been minimal in Houston, raising questions about the necessity of the program suspensions.

The details

The TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs, which offer expedited security clearance, were shut down at 5 a.m. on Sunday at airports across the U.S. due to the lapse in Department of Homeland Security funding. During a similar shutdown last year, security lines at George Bush Intercontinental Airport stretched up to 3 hours long. But on Sunday, wait times were reported to be 25 minutes or less at IAH and just 10 minutes at Hobby Airport.

  • The TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs were shut down at 5 a.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
  • During a 43-day government shutdown last year, security lines at IAH lasted up to 3 hours long.

The players

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency responsible for the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs, which shut down the services due to a lapse in funding.

Kristi Noem

The DHS Secretary who blamed Democrats for the airport impacts, saying the party "put politics over public safety."

House Committee on Homeland Security

The Democratic committee that accused the DHS of "punishing" travelers by suspending the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs.

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What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has not provided a timeline for when the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs may be restored at airports across the country.

The takeaway

The suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry at major airports like Houston's raises concerns about the impact on travelers, but the initial effects appear to have been minimal. This incident highlights the broader political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and homeland security funding that have led to disruptive government shutdowns.