After Shutdown Ends, Economists Urge U.S. Labor Department to Fast-Track Key Data

With the U.S. government officially reopening after the House voted to end the longest shutdown in the nation’s history, economists are urging the Department of Labor to immediately prioritize the release of November’s employment and inflation data. The move is seen as crucial to give the Federal Reserve the up-to-date information it needs ahead of its December policy meeting.

The shutdown, which lasted more than six weeks, had paralyzed key federal statistical agencies — including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The freeze on data collection and publication left policymakers, investors, and businesses operating in the dark, relying on private estimates to gauge the state of the economy.

Only September’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) was released before the government closed on October 1. The delay created significant data gaps, and while September’s remaining reports are expected to be published in the coming days, the White House has confirmed that October’s jobs and inflation data may never be released due to the suspension of on-the-ground data collection.

Economists argue that the November figures should now take top priority to help the Federal Reserve form a clear view of the economy. “From a monetary policy perspective, you want the November data first,” explained one U.S. economist. “Releasing it in sequence would only delay vital insights needed for the Fed’s decisions.”

Federal Reserve officials have already warned that future interest rate moves depend heavily on new data. With inflation cooling but growth uneven, accurate and timely statistics are essential for determining whether another rate adjustment will be made at the December 9–10 meeting.

Releasing the backlogged reports, however, will not be easy. Compared to the 2013 shutdown, this one poses greater challenges. The BLS has lost nearly 25% of its staff since February, and a third of its leadership positions remain unfilled — factors that could delay recovery and reporting timelines.

October’s data remains the most uncertain. Much of it relies on physical surveys — household interviews to calculate unemployment and in-person price checks for the CPI — that could not be completed during the shutdown. Experts warn this will leave October 2025 as a “blind spot” in America’s economic record.

Some analysts believe the BLS may attempt to combine October and November surveys to salvage some of the missing information, but logistical and staffing issues make this a difficult task. Parts of the October CPI were never collected and may have to be skipped or estimated.

Despite these setbacks, early private indicators and state-level data suggest the labor market has remained stable since September. The unemployment rate stands near a four-year high of 4.3%, with strong performance in the technology and AI sectors offsetting weakness in traditional industries still burdened by tariffs and global trade tensions.