Expand / Collapse search
☰

Government shutdown hits Tampa Bay area: Thousands of federal employees impacted

By
Published  October 1, 2025 11:09pm EDT
Tampa
FOX 13 News
Government shutdown impacts on TSA

Government shutdown impacts on TSA

TSA and Border Patrol agents have to show up without pay, but they will eventually be entitled to backpay. And because of Yom Kippur, the Senate is no expected to take another vote until Friday. Evyn Moon reports.

The Brief

    • The federal government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday after lawmakers on Capitol Hill failed to reach a funding deal.
    • Thousands of Tampa Bay area federal employees — including TSA screeners, air traffic controllers, postal workers, court staff and Social Security employees — are already feeling the impact.
    • Local organizations, including United Way Suncoast, are mobilizing to provide food and support to employees impacted by lost paychecks.

TAMPA, Fla. - At the start of the day, funding for the federal government ran out, forcing non-essential agencies and programs to pause operations.

What we know:

Essential workers such as TSA screeners and air traffic controllers continue to work, but will not receive pay until funding is restored. Restrictions on overtime may lead to longer waits at airports, and travel analysts warn some employees may seek other jobs if the shutdown continues.

RELATED: Government shutdown begins. What happens now?

Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base issued a statement noting that a lapse in funding "can significantly impact readiness, modernization efforts and overall ability to maintain technological superiority."

Local perspective:

United Way Suncoast has begun preparations to assist furloughed federal employees, drawing on a blueprint from the 2018 shutdown, which lasted 35 days.

"There are more than 2,000 federal employees who work out of Tampa International Airport," said Ernest Hooper of United Way Suncoast. "Many of them are TSA workers, but there are also offices nearby — a major post office, IRS and the Social Security Administration. We want to make sure they get the help they need."

READ: Here's how a government shutdown affects student loan payments

The organization plans to use Feeding Tampa Bay’s Causeway Center as a central hub for distributing food and essential supplies.

Why you should care:

Paychecks are paused for thousands of federal employees in the Tampa Bay area. 

Services at federal offices — including courts, postal operations and social security offices — could experience delays. Travel may be disrupted due to restricted overtime for TSA and air traffic controllers.

What's next:

Congressional leaders are attempting to negotiate a funding deal. Republicans need eight Senate Democrats to reach the 60 votes required to pass a budget and reopen the government. 

Until a deal is reached, local federal employees will continue to face financial strain, and local support organizations will remain critical to their well-being.

The Source: Information in this article comes from interviews with United Way Suncoast, statements from MacDill Air Force Base and travel industry experts, and public records on federal employee counts.

TampaPolitics