Due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has postponed this week’s key labor market reports—including the highly anticipated January jobs data—until funding is restored. This marks the second major disruption to economic indicators in four months, leaving policymakers and investors in the dark about the health of the U.S. labor market amid weakened job growth. The shutdown stems from a political standoff over Homeland Security funding and follows a historic 43-day funding lapse in late 2025.
Key Points:
For the second time in four months, a partial federal government shutdown has halted the release of critical U.S. economic data.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics will not release the January jobs report, JOLTS data, and metropolitan employment statistics as scheduled this week.
Data collection and publication are suspended until government funding is restored.
The shutdown began January 31st due to a congressional impasse over Homeland Security funding and immigration enforcement actions.
This further delays economic insight during a period of already slowed job growth, compounding disruption from a previous 43-day shutdown in late 2025.
