Audio By Carbonatix
The federal government shutdown could cost the U.S. economy between $7 billion and $14 billion, shaving up to 2% from gross domestic product in the fourth quarter due to the lapse in government spending, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said on Wednesday.
The partial shutdown was in its 29th day on Wednesday with no end in sight, as Senate Republicans called on Democrats to support a stopgap measure to fund federal agencies through November 21, and Democrats demanded negotiations to extend expiring federal tax credits to help Americans purchase private health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
CBO estimated that the economy would suffer as a result of delayed federal spending for employee compensation, goods and services, and food stamp benefits for low-income Americans.
"Although most of the decline in real GDP will be recovered eventually, CBO estimates that between $7 billion and $14 billion will not be," agency director Phillip Swagel said in an October 29 letter to House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, a Texas Republican who requested the analysis.
"The effects of the shutdown on the economy are uncertain. Those effects depend on decisions made by the administration throughout the shutdown," Swagel wrote.
About 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed since government funding ended on October 1, the start of the 2026 federal fiscal year.
The Trump administration has taken steps to provide pay to U.S. troops, federal law enforcement agents and immigration officers. Other federal employees have continued to work without pay.
CBO said the economy would suffer a permanent loss of $7 billion if the shutdown ended this week.
A six-week shutdown continuing to November 12 would cost $11 billion and an eight-week shutdown lasting until November 26 would cost $14 billion.
Latest Stories
-
Dr Bawumia and NPP will make sure we win the confidence of Ghanaians – Abu Jinapor
7 minutes -
Government, private sector back UNHCR agribusiness drive to boost refugee livelihoods
10 minutes -
The Prosecutor who could not prosecute (A Ghanaian Folktale from the Republic of Uncommon Sense)
56 minutes -
MP urges stakeholders to prioritise education
1 hour -
Fuel price intervention ‘not a subsidy’ but gov’t taking a hit to protect consumers – Richmond Rockson
1 hour -
Government to forgo GH¢200m in revenue per pricing window as fuel price cuts take effect
1 hour -
Tsatsu Tsikata calls for compensation for SALL over 2020 electoral exclusion
1 hour -
Tsatsu Tsikata says he holds no bitterness over imprisonment, calls for fairness in justice system
1 hour -
We remain hopeful fuel prices will stabilise or drop – Richmond Rockson
1 hour -
Ghanaian pastor, 14 others arrested in Canada over alleged homeless fund fraud
1 hour -
Two suspects arrested over deadly attack on Berekum Chelsea team bus
2 hours -
Ashanti Regional Minister inspects Common Fund projects in Atwima Kwanwoma
2 hours -
Global climate outlook worrying despite Ghana’s progress – Minister
2 hours -
Bono Minister cuts sod for 24-hour market at Odomase
2 hours -
Cocoa farmers in Guan appeal to government over delayed payments
2 hours