Florida Must Act Now to Protect Essential Services During the Shutdown
The Issue
The federal shutdown is already taking a toll on Florida—and it’s only going to get worse if our state leaders don’t act now.
Across the state, essential federal employees—like TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and veterans' healthcare staff—are being forced to work without pay. Thousands more are being furloughed, leaving agencies understaffed and services delayed. From the VA hospital in Tampa to security lines at Orlando International Airport, Florida families are already feeling the pressure.
These workers help keep our airports safe, process emergency aid and small business loans, manage military installations, and protect our national parks. And yet, they are being left in limbo, unsure when they’ll see another paycheck.
The risk isn’t just to those workers—it’s to all of us. If TSA officers begin calling out because they can’t afford gas or childcare, flights could be delayed or canceled. If veterans can’t get timely care or Floridians lose access to housing and food assistance, lives are on the line.
Florida is home to more than 160,000 federal workers, with particularly high concentrations in Central and South Florida. This isn’t a distant political debate—it’s a direct threat to our economy, our public safety, and the wellbeing of millions of residents.
That’s why we’re calling on Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature to immediately create a contingency relief plan to:
- Provide temporary financial assistance for unpaid federal workers in essential roles.
- Ensure vital services like airport security, veterans care, and emergency aid stay functional during the shutdown.
State lawmakers have a duty to protect Floridians—especially when the federal government fails to do so. Florida has the resources to help bridge this gap. We need leadership that puts people over politics.
If our TSA agents, VA nurses, and federal disaster responders are still showing up to protect us, the least we can do is show up for them.
Sign now to demand immediate action from Florida’s leaders to protect critical services and support those who keep our state running.
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The Issue
The federal shutdown is already taking a toll on Florida—and it’s only going to get worse if our state leaders don’t act now.
Across the state, essential federal employees—like TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and veterans' healthcare staff—are being forced to work without pay. Thousands more are being furloughed, leaving agencies understaffed and services delayed. From the VA hospital in Tampa to security lines at Orlando International Airport, Florida families are already feeling the pressure.
These workers help keep our airports safe, process emergency aid and small business loans, manage military installations, and protect our national parks. And yet, they are being left in limbo, unsure when they’ll see another paycheck.
The risk isn’t just to those workers—it’s to all of us. If TSA officers begin calling out because they can’t afford gas or childcare, flights could be delayed or canceled. If veterans can’t get timely care or Floridians lose access to housing and food assistance, lives are on the line.
Florida is home to more than 160,000 federal workers, with particularly high concentrations in Central and South Florida. This isn’t a distant political debate—it’s a direct threat to our economy, our public safety, and the wellbeing of millions of residents.
That’s why we’re calling on Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature to immediately create a contingency relief plan to:
- Provide temporary financial assistance for unpaid federal workers in essential roles.
- Ensure vital services like airport security, veterans care, and emergency aid stay functional during the shutdown.
State lawmakers have a duty to protect Floridians—especially when the federal government fails to do so. Florida has the resources to help bridge this gap. We need leadership that puts people over politics.
If our TSA agents, VA nurses, and federal disaster responders are still showing up to protect us, the least we can do is show up for them.
Sign now to demand immediate action from Florida’s leaders to protect critical services and support those who keep our state running.
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Petition created on October 2, 2025