WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with a coalition of business associations representing a broad cross section of the American business community, issued a joint call to Congress to pass a clean CR to reopen the federal government.
“Government shutdowns impose real, escalating costs. While exact figures vary, public estimates of the current funding lapse suggest $10 billion–$15 billion per week in lost output and economic activity. The longer the shutdown persists, the larger and more durable the economic damage becomes — and some of it could never be recovered.
“Among many other impacts, each day the government remains closed increases the permitting backlog for major infrastructure projects. The nation’s air traffic control system and its workforce are also showing signs of stress.
“We urge Congress to swiftly pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the federal government. Immediately reopening the government would avert further economic disruption and give Congress and the Administration time to negotiate a longer-term funding package and address other pressing issues.”
The call comes as the Chamber released a new analysis and interactive map showing 65,500 small business contractors in the United States have nearly $3 billion a week at risk because of the shutdown, with $12 billion just in the month of October alone.
For weeks, the Chamber has stressed the negative impact of the government shutdown and called for the administration and Congress to work together to reopen the government. On October 2, the Chamber sent a memo to its members outlining the implications of a government shutdown and the outlook for reopening the government. The Chamber also sent a letter to the Senate urging passage of the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026.
Earlier this month, the Chamber hosted dozens of small businesses for a Capitol Hill fly-in. Businesses met with lawmakers and their staffs to share their priorities. The Chamber also published new stories from small businesses nationwide who are feeling the shutdown’s effects firsthand:
Signers of the letter include Airlines for America, American Hotel & Lodging Association, Associated General Contractors of America Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Retail Federation, National Association of Home Builders, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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