For the second time in four months, a federal government shutdown has resulted in the cessation of critical economic data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has postponed the release of the January jobs report and other significant labor market data originally scheduled for this week due to the ongoing partial federal government shutdown. BLS officials informed that the agency is halting the collection, processing, and dissemination of economic data until federal funding is reinstated. “The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey release for December 2025, Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment release for December 2025, and the Employment Situation release for January 2026 will be rescheduled upon the resumption of government funding,” stated Emily Liddel. Before the shutdown, the most recent JOLTS report, along with metropolitan employment data and the jobs report, were set to be published on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, respectively. Upon the restoration of funding, the rescheduling of those three reports will occur, she stated.
The US government experienced a partial shutdown on January 31 due to lawmakers’ inability to reach a funding agreement. This deadlock was triggered by public outcry regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota, particularly the fatal shootings of US citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. Senate Democrats pledged to obstruct the bill passed by the House unless certain reforms to the Department of Homeland Security were implemented or unless funding for DHS was separated — modifications that would necessitate an additional vote in the House.
The government is anticipated to remain closed until at least Tuesday, when the House is projected to conduct essential votes on a funding package that is imperative for passage. The most recent funding interruption occurs while the BLS and other federal statistical agencies are still in the process of recovering from the previous historic 43-day shutdown that took place in October and early November. The BLS data scheduled for release this week was anticipated to offer an essential insight into the condition of the US labor market following what has been the most subdued year of job growth outside of a recession since 2003.