Day 40 of the federal government shutdown sees White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent raise a red flag: if the impasse continues, fourth-quarter U.S. growth could be slashed by up to half—or worse, slip into negative territory.
On CBS’s Face the Nation, Hassett highlighted that the Thanksgiving travel rush has been hit hard by a shortage of air traffic controllers, causing widespread delays at major hubs. "Thanksgiving time is one of the hottest times of the year for the economy… if people aren’t traveling, we could be looking at a negative quarter," he warned.
Meanwhile, on ABC’s This Week, Bessent echoed concerns: "We’ve seen an impact on the economy from day one, but it’s getting worse and worse," adding that growth this quarter could be reduced by as much as half if stalemate persists.
The shutdown has sidelined hundreds of thousands of federal workers, disrupted food aid programs, and forced parks and key services to close. With holiday travel plans at risk and consumer confidence wavering, businesses and markets are bracing for a rough end to the year.
For global citizens, entrepreneurs, and travelers alike, the takeaway is clear: Washington’s impasse is more than a political headline—it has real-world impacts on airline schedules, supply chains, and consumer spending worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest data releases and be ready to adjust plans as the situation unfolds.
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Top White House officials issue dire economic warnings amid shutdown
cgtn.com
