Summary
The U.S. government has shut down because the Senate did not pass a funding bill. This shutdown could delay important economic data, as federal workers like those at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are affected. The BLS was supposed to release a key employment report, but the shutdown means the report might not come out as planned.
Key Facts
- The U.S. government entered a shutdown due to a lack of a funding bill.
- Federal employees, including economists and statisticians, are on leave, pausing government services.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was scheduled to release an important jobs report.
- The BLS will suspend data collection and release due to the shutdown.
- A prolonged shutdown could harm economic growth and reduce data quality.
- The last month's report showed only 22,000 new jobs in August, lower than expected.
- Unemployment rose slightly to 4.3 percent from 4.2 percent.
- Past government shutdowns have delayed economic reports, such as in 2013.
