The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reopened Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry program as of Wednesday, a DHS spokesperson confirmed.
Global Entry had been suspended since Feb. 22 "to preserve limited funds and personnel" during the partial government shutdown of DHS.
DHS in an email statement confirmed it had "reactivated Global Entry on March 11 at 5 a.m. ET."
RELATED: Amid DHS Shutdown, TSA Wait Times Surge at Some Airports
The U.S. Travel Association applauded the reopening decision and once more urged Congress to act to ensure pay for essential TSA employees.
"Today's step is an important one, but Congress must also act to support the Transportation Security Officers who keep our aviation system functioning," U.S. Travel president and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement. "These essential employees continue to report to work without pay during the partial government shutdown, and they deserve to be compensated without delay."
TSA workers last week began to lose pay. Security wait times also has become an issue at several airports as some facilities have reported staffing shortages and long security lines as a result.