The federal government shutdown has resulted in the postponement of a crucial jobs report that was set to be released recently, prompting concerns among various stakeholders, including companies, consumers, policymakers, and investors. Two former heads of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) have noted that the data necessary for the report has already been collected; however, the Trump administration has not agreed to publish it.
Employment growth in the U.S. has reportedly been slowing for several months. Following the firing of the BLS commissioner in August, the administration has faced criticism regarding its handling of official labor data. Erica Groshen, a former BLS commissioner under the Obama administration, expressed that without the jobs report and the forthcoming inflation data, key economic stakeholders would lack critical information, particularly at a time when the economy may be entering a recession.
William Beach, who led the BLS during both the Trump and Biden administrations, corroborated that the jobs data for September had been finalized. He indicated that the report was likely ready for release. A private report from payroll processing firm ADP revealed a significant job loss of 32,000 in September, contrasting sharply with Wall Street expectations for job growth.
Paul Schroeder from the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics commented on the importance of the jobs report in understanding the current labor market dynamics. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has urged the Trump administration to release the jobs data, emphasizing its importance for Federal Reserve decisions that affect households across the nation.
Under the government shutdown, the BLS has paused data collection and dissemination per its contingency plan, which includes furloughing all employees except for the acting commissioner. A BLS spokesperson stated that operations would resume and any adjustments to the release schedule would be communicated once funding is restored. Additionally, Trump’s nominee to lead the BLS withdrew from consideration amid bipartisan criticism regarding qualifications.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/03/trump-shutdown-us-jobs-data