White House: October non-farm payroll and inflation data may never be released.

White House Press Secretary Janet Levitt stated that key economic reports for October may not be released at all due to the government shutdown. Levitt said, "Democrats may have permanently damaged the federal statistical system, and the October CPI and (non-farm) jobs reports are very likely to never be released. The release of all these economic data will be permanently damaged, forcing Federal Reserve policymakers to 'fly blind' during a critical period." With the government shutdown lasting more than six weeks, setting a record for the longest shutdown, Wall Street has been closely watching the release of key economic data. Other affected data includes retail sales, import and export figures, and consumer spending and income. Most economists had previously expected all data to eventually be released, albeit with delays. However, Levitt's comments have cast a shadow over that expectation. She added that the shutdown could reduce fourth-quarter economic growth by as much as 2 percentage points. (CNBC)