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Treasury Revises Shutdown Impact Estimate to $15 Billion a Week

Oct 15, 2025, 10:54 p.m. ET

The two-week-old federal government shutdown may cost the U.S. economy as much as $15 billion a week in lost output, a Treasury official said late Wednesday, correcting an earlier statement from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had mistakenly cited losses of up to $15 billion per day.

Bessent used the incorrect figure in two public appearances earlier that day while urging Democrats to “be heroes” and join Republicans to end the impasse.

According to the Treasury official, the corrected estimate is based on analysis from the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

Speaking at a news conference, Bessent warned that the shutdown was beginning to “cut into the muscle” of the U.S. economy. He added that while the wave of investment flowing into the U.S.—particularly in artificial intelligence and other emerging industries—remains strong and sustainable, the prolonged government closure is becoming a growing obstacle.

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