The January jobs report delay was confirmed on Monday after the Bureau of Labor Statistics suspended data work due to a partial US government shutdown, affecting scheduled labour releases in Washington and delaying key employment figures that markets, policymakers, and employers track closely.
What changed in the January jobs report delay
The January jobs report delay means the data will not publish on its scheduled Friday release.BLS halted data collection, processing, and publication during the funding lapse.
The agency said it will release the report only after government funding resumes.
Emily Liddel, associate commissioner at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, said the shutdown forced a pause in all labour data operations.She confirmed no alternative release date exists yet.
Bureau of Labor Statistics pauses multiple reports
The January jobs report delay has disrupted other scheduled labour releases. BLS has deferred the December Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.It has also pushed back the Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment report.
The agency functions under the US Department of Labor.
Funding for multiple federal departments ended on January 30.While the Senate cleared a stopgap measure, the House has yet to approve it.
Impact of the January jobs report delay on data users
The January jobs report delay disrupts employers, investors, and policymakers.The report includes payroll data, unemployment rates, and annual benchmark revisions.Those revisions may show weaker job growth for the year ending March 2025.
Without the data, analysts lack updated labour signals.Government contractors also face delayed payments.
Non-essential federal workers remain furloughed during the shutdown.
Funding talks continue in Congress
Political tensions in the House increased after the shutdown began Saturday. Disagreements center on immigration enforcement and agency funding.House Speaker Mike Johnson said lawmakers aim to vote soon.
The Senate-approved bill followed talks between Donald Trump and Chuck Schumer. It would fund most agencies through September 30. Homeland Security funding would extend through February 13.
What comes next
The delay will remain in place until Congress restores federal funding.The Bureau of Labor Statistics said it will announce a new release date once normal operations resume.
So far, the agency has not issued a revised timeline for the data.
Until funding is approved, labour market indicators for January will stay unavailable.Employers, investors, and policymakers must rely on earlier employment reports.
The pause also limits access to updated payroll figures and unemployment rates.Annual employment revisions included in the January release will remain on hold.
