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Part-time jobs, loans and worry: Texas federal workers contend with government shutdown | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 9:11 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Part‑time Jobs, Loans, and Worry: Texas Federal Workers Struggle Through a Government Shutdown

When the federal government closed its doors in late October, the ripple effects were felt far beyond Washington’s Capitol. In Texas, where the federal workforce ranks among the country’s largest, a sudden halt to funding sent many part‑time employees into a state of uncertainty. A new Houston Public Media piece tracks how the shutdown is hitting these workers on a daily, personal level, while also painting a broader picture of the political and financial forces at play.

A Sudden Pause for 400,000 Texans

Texas hosts more than 300,000 federal employees, from U.S. Customs officers and TSA agents to IRS auditors and federal law‑enforcement specialists. While the majority work full‑time, a growing segment—especially in agencies like Homeland Security and the Department of Justice—relies on part‑time schedules to balance work with caregiving or other responsibilities. When the funding gap emerged on October 24, a wave of furloughs swept through the state’s federal facilities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that roughly 40,000 of those employees were placed on unpaid leave, with the majority in part‑time roles.

The shutdown’s immediate impact was a halt in payroll. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Debt Management announced that most federal employees would see a delay of two to three weeks in their next paycheck, a figure that was confirmed by many workers who checked the online payroll portal. In contrast, full‑time employees with 401(k) and health‑insurance benefits found themselves in a more precarious position: their employer‑paid benefits were suspended, and their own contributions were on hold, leaving some without coverage for the duration of the shutdown.

Loans, Mortgages, and the Reality of “Living on the Edge”

For those whose income is already stretched thin, a pause in wages can spell financial crisis. Several interviewees, including a part‑time TSA agent named Maria Gomez and a federal customs officer, shared that their mortgage payments and student‑loan obligations are due before the shutdown concludes. Maria explains, “I can’t afford to miss a mortgage payment. It’s not just about the money; it’s about the risk of foreclosure.” In contrast, others turned to credit cards or personal loans, many of them with higher interest rates, to bridge the gap.

The article also highlights the role of federal benefits. While many federal employees receive a guaranteed pension, a significant number of part‑time workers are ineligible for a pension, relying instead on health insurance and modest retirement contributions. During the shutdown, the Department of Labor’s “Federal Employee Health Benefits” portal noted a surge in inquiries about temporary coverage options. Many workers reported difficulty navigating the array of state and federal programs designed to assist those temporarily without income.

Political Context and the Cost of Inaction

A deeper dive into the article explains the policy context. The shutdown stems from a prolonged impasse over the 2026 appropriations bill, where the House and Senate have not agreed on a budget. While the article cites statements from Congressional leaders, it also references a Texas Department of State Affairs report that warns the state’s economy could lose up to $2.5 billion if federal funding remains suspended for more than a month. The report stresses that the shutdown not only affects direct federal employees but also local contractors and state agencies that receive federal grants.

In a sidebar, the piece links to a Texas Legislative Reference Office briefing that outlines how the state’s budget will be impacted. That document details that the federal workforce’s share of state tax revenue—estimated at 3.2% of the state’s total—could see a decline in the short term, potentially forcing cuts to state programs that many federal workers rely on for supplemental income.

Personal Stories Behind the Numbers

While the numbers paint a stark picture, the article places a strong emphasis on individual narratives. An interview with a part‑time federal health‑services specialist, James Lee, illustrates the mental toll: “I’m worried about paying for my kids’ school supplies and groceries. The uncertainty is exhausting.” He mentions the psychological stress of not knowing when he will receive a paycheck and how that uncertainty may impact his mental health.

Another worker, a part‑time IRS auditor named Elena Martinez, describes how the shutdown has forced her to juggle unpaid childcare with the risk of missing a deadline for a federal audit that could affect her department’s funding. “If I miss that deadline, the department might lose funds, and we’ll have fewer employees,” she says. Martinez notes that the uncertainty has also spurred conversations among her colleagues about the possibility of a permanent shift toward more full‑time positions—a suggestion that is difficult to materialize in an agency that has long depended on part‑time staff to meet fluctuating workloads.

A Call to Action

The piece concludes with a call to action for lawmakers and public officials. It argues that the federal shutdown’s toll on Texas workers is a microcosm of the larger national crisis that affects millions of Americans who depend on federal employment. The article urges Congress to prioritize budget passage to restore funding, highlighting that an expedited appropriations bill would prevent further hardship for the state’s federal workforce. It also suggests that state agencies could create temporary relief programs, such as emergency cash assistance and loan repayment deferrals, to cushion workers against the financial shock.

In addition to political advocacy, the article offers practical steps for workers: contacting the U.S. Treasury’s “Federal Payroll Issues” hotline, seeking advice from the local United Employees of the Federal Government (UEFG) union, and exploring short‑term loan programs offered by state financial institutions. The article ends with a hopeful note that if Congress moves quickly to fund the government, Texas’ federal workers can resume their duties with the security and stability that have defined the profession for decades.