The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will not release the January employment report on Friday, February 6, 2026, as had been planned. The postponement is a direct consequence of a partial lapse in federal funding that has left parts of the government without approved appropriations.
Unlike the broader shutdown that occurred last fall and affected the entire federal government, the current funding lapse is limited in scope. However, the Labor Department - which houses the BLS - is among the agencies impacted by the delayed funding measure that remains pending in the House of Representatives.
A spokesperson for the BLS confirmed on Monday that even if lawmakers restore funding in the near term, several key economic reports scheduled for this week will still be delayed because of the interruption in operations.
In addition to the monthly employment situation report for January, the agency said the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for December 2025 will not be issued on its planned timetable. The BLS indicated that it will announce revised release dates for these reports once government funding is reinstated.
Context and operational note
The BLS statement makes clear that the timing of the data releases is directly tied to the restoration of appropriations. Until funding is resolved, the agency is constrained in its ability to publish scheduled labor market statistics.
Implications for data users
- Government and private-sector analysts who rely on timely employment and job openings data will face a temporary gap until the agency reschedules releases.
- Market participants monitoring labor market developments will need to account for the absence of these data points in short-term analysis.
- Any plans that depend on the January employment report or the December JOLTS dataset will have to be adjusted once the BLS provides new publication dates.
The BLS has not provided specific alternative dates; the agency reiterated it will publish new schedules when appropriations are restored. The duration of the delay therefore depends on the pace of congressional action on the funding package currently awaiting consideration in the House.