Travel implications of a looming government debt-ceiling crisis

The United States is at risk of running out of money by this coming June and honestly, that is so relatable. I run that risk every month when I book trips that I don’t need to be taking. Maybe they should take a page out of my book and recite, “Money flows to me like water” every morning in the mirror. 

This past January, the US reached its debt ceiling for the first time since 2011, and the Department of the Treasury secretary warned that the country could run out of money unless the debt limit is raised or suspended by Congress. Even with federal government funding secured until the end of the fiscal year, continuing operations are still financed by borrowing.

What does this mean for travel? 

This looming crisis could affect several travel-related plans if this June default happens. The possible failure of the federal government to extend funding may affect travelers visiting national parks, renewing passports or applying for Global Entry memberships, and more.

Insufficient funding could cause delays in processing TSA PreCheck and Global Entry applications, and potentially cause a shortage of TSA agents, leading to longer wait times for TSA PreCheck lines at certain airports. (So, we highly recommend getting in any paperwork or renewal documents submitted as soon as possible.)

During the funding disruption, National Parks would still be accessible, but visitor centers, restrooms, and educational programs would be closed due to short staff. While park entry would technically be free, the absence of park rangers would make the parks less safe. Washington, DC monuments, and museums that rely on federal funding could also be impacted.