Government Shutdown Worsens, Hits Travel and Economy

The U.S. government shutdown entered its 24th day after the Senate failed to pass a measure to pay some essential workers by a 55–45 vote, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that interrupted pay for air-traffic controllers could cause holiday travel delays and cancellations. Hospitality and tourism groups say hotels have lost about $650 million and the broader economy is losing roughly $31 million per day; Brevard County reported massive cancellations tied to Kennedy Space Center work and contractors, sharply reducing hotel bookings and local revenue. National parks have furloughed about 9,000 employees, straining safety and local businesses, and the Air Force Thunderbirds withdrew from multiple air shows. Many scheduled federal reports were postponed or not released, though the Bureau of Labor Statistics released September’s CPI showing headline and core inflation near 3% year‑over‑year, a cooler reading that could influence the Federal Reserve’s rate path. Lawmakers and industry groups are urging Congress to end the shutdown as impacts are expected to deepen the longer the impasse continues.