The U.S. Labor Department warned on Monday that the release of key economic data, including the September employment report, could be suspended if a partial government shutdown occurs. The monthly jobs report, closely monitored by Federal Reserve officials, businesses, and households, is scheduled for release on Friday but may be delayed if Congress fails to pass a funding bill by midnight Tuesday.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), responsible for compiling the data, is among the agencies that would halt operations during a funding lapse. With government financing set to expire, lawmakers from both parties remain deadlocked over a temporary spending agreement. President Donald Trump met with congressional leaders on Monday in an effort to break the impasse.
Concerns are mounting over the reliability and continuity of federal economic statistics, traditionally seen as highly credible. The BLS has faced persistent underfunding across multiple administrations, a situation exacerbated by widespread staff reductions, hiring freezes, and early retirements—part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to downsize the federal workforce.
These staffing challenges have led to declining survey response rates and forced the agency to temporarily halt data collection for certain components of the consumer price index in several regions.
Adding to the unease, the nomination of E.J. Antoni, an economist from the Heritage Foundation and a vocal critic of the BLS, to lead the agency has drawn criticism from economists across the political spectrum, many of whom question his qualifications for the role.
— news from Reuters
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US September employment report will not be published if government shuts down
WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) – The U.S. Labor Department said on Monday its statistics agency would suspend economic data releases, including the closely watched monthly employment report for September, in the event of a partial government shutdown. n nThe employment report, crucial for decision-making by officials at the Federal Reserve, businesses and households, is due on Friday. n nSign up here. n nGovernment funding will expire at midnight on Tuesday unless Republicans and Democrats in Congress can agree to a last-minute temporary spending deal. The Labor Department identified the Bureau of Labor Statistics among the key agencies whose activities would cease during a lapse in funding. n nPresident Donald Trump was scheduled to meet with Republican and Democratic leaders on Monday. Possible delays publishing the employment report would come at a time when concerns are growing over the quality of government-produced economic data, long viewed as the gold standard. n nThe BLS has suffered years of underfunding under both Republican and Democratic administrations. That situation has been worsened by mass firings, voluntary resignations, early retirements and hiring freezes, which are part of an unprecedented campaign by the Trump administration to drastically reduce the size of government. n nResponse rates for the employment report have declined and the agency has suspended data collection for portions of the consumer price index in some areas across the country. n nThe nomination of Heritage Foundation economist E.J. Antoni, a critic of the BLS, to head the statistics agency is also adding another layer of worry over data quality. Economists across political ideologies have described Antoni as unqualified for the position. n nReporting by Lucia Mutikani and Courtney Rozen; Editing by Mark Porter and Andrea Ricci