U.S. Government Shutdown: BLS Implemented Emergency Plans

U.S. Government Shutdown and Political Conflicts

As the government remains closed for the 9th day, accusations continue between the Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress.

No Solution, Vacation Plans Canceled

There are no signs of any agreement in sight. Senators will be leaving Washington and won't return until next Tuesday. This situation increases the risk that U.S. military personnel may not receive their pay on October 15. Government employees are also facing similar uncertainty, while the American public is experiencing the effects of the shutdown in every area.

Trump's Threats and Republican Strategy

Trump has frequently mentioned firing federal employees and withholding pay for some government workers, but none of these threats have been implemented so far. Some Republican leaders have been content to point the finger at Democrats as responsible for the shutdown.

BLS's Emergency Data Preparation

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has started to call back its staff to prepare essential inflation data necessary for calculating future Social Security checks. Due to the government shutdown, BLS had suspended its activities such as data collection and economic statistic production instead of incurring penalties.

Published Data and Future Expectations

According to the Labor Department's latest emergency plan, BLS's announcements will not be released during the shutdown. The Office of Management and Budget at the White House has called staff back to publish the Consumer Price Index data for September, expected to be released by the end of the month. The data was initially planned to be announced on October 15.