The U.S. government shutdown has interrupted the release of official economic data, complicating the Federal Reserve's policy decisions. Key reports, including the September nonfarm payrolls and CPI, have been delayed, leaving the Fed without essential metrics to evaluate employment, wages, and inflation. In response, the Federal Reserve is considering a cautious approach, with speculation of a potential 25-basis-point rate cut in December. Fed Chair Powell has expressed concerns that prolonged data disruptions could further challenge policy-making, as private data sources lack the depth and historical context of official statistics.