Elizabeth Warren Urges Trump to Release Jobs Report Despite Shutdown

The monthly U.S. jobs report is the most closely watched piece of economic data. It tracks hiring, unemployment, and wages, shaping markets and Federal Reserve policy. With unemployment rising and signs of weakness in the job market, its release carries even greater weight this month.

Former staff at the Bureau of Labor Statistics told Warren’s office that September’s data has already been collected and is ready for release.

“Let’s be clear: the jobs data scheduled for Friday has been collected, and the President must release it,” Warren said in a statement to CNN. “Without it, the Federal Reserve cannot make fully informed decisions about interest rates. Those decisions will affect every family across the country.”

The Fed’s next two-day policy meeting is set for October 28–29. Economists say it needs the jobs numbers to judge whether to hold or raise rates.

The Labor Department published a contingency plan earlier this week, but it remains unclear whether the shutdown will delay the report.