Private Data Tells the Story Washington Won’t: Jobs Are Disappearing

October 20, 2025

The ongoing federal government shutdown has created a vacuum of official economic data, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics can no longer publish its monthly employment report. Private firms including ADP, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Carlyle have stepped in with their own analyses, collectively indicating job losses and a cooling labor market. ADP reported 32,000 private-sector jobs lost in September, with the heaviest losses in manufacturing, construction, and professional services, particularly affecting the Midwest region.

Who is affected

Federal government workers who are furloughed or working without pay
Private-sector employees, particularly in manufacturing, construction, and professional services
Small and medium-sized companies facing steeper job cuts
Workers in the Midwest region, which lost 63,000 jobs
Lower-income workers experiencing slower wage growth (1.4%) compared to higher-income households (4.0%)
Approximately 49,000 District residents (13% of population) who are federally employed
The general public who no longer has access to official economic data

What action is being taken

Private firms like ADP, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Carlyle are producing independent economic analyses to fill the data gap
The Office of Management and Budget is challenging whether furloughed workers will receive back pay
The White House is controlling data release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Many federal workers are receiving smaller paychecks as the shutdown continues
Businesses are continuing to invest in technology and AI infrastructure despite economic uncertainty

Why it matters

The lack of official economic data creates uncertainty about the true state of the economy
Private analyses show concerning job losses and economic cooling that would typically be officially tracked
Federal workers face potential financial crisis if they don't receive back pay, contrary to previous shutdown practices
The administration's stance on back pay contradicts the apparent intent of the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act
The situation exposes a divide between lower-income workers (1.4% wage growth) and higher-income households (4.0% wage growth)
Economic impacts are geographically uneven, with the Midwest suffering significantly more than other regions

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint