US Government Shutdown Costs $10B Weekly, Hits Steel Industry Access

The US government shutdown, now lasting 22 days, is the second-longest in history and continues to stall essential government functions due to repeated failures to pass a continuing resolution. Business associations warn the shutdown is causing substantial economic damage, with losses estimated between $10 billion and $15 billion per week, and escalating backlogs in infrastructure permitting and stress on air traffic control systems. The steel industry is particularly impacted, as the shutdown prevents access to critical trade data from the Department of Commerce, hindering the ability to monitor steel imports and creating uncertainty for federal infrastructure projects reliant on American steel. The American Iron and Steel Institute emphasizes that this disruption threatens American steel jobs and urges a swift end to the funding deadlock. Political tensions remain high, with criticisms focusing on Republican demands, particularly efforts to cut healthcare and food assistance programs, which some view as cruel and harmful to millions of Americans. Overall, there is urgent pressure on Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government and prevent further economic and social harm.