GITNUXREPORT 2026

Government Shutdown Construction Industry Statistics

Government shutdowns cause billions in losses and widespread job cuts across construction.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

Post-2018 shutdown, construction GDP contracted 0.3% in Q1 2019, $5.6 billion loss, BEA data.

Statistic 2

Shutdowns since 2011 reduced annual construction output by 0.8%, or $12 billion cumulatively, CBO estimate.

Statistic 3

Multiplier effect: each $1 federal construction loss cut private sector output by $2.10, IMF analysis.

Statistic 4

2013 shutdown increased construction material prices 4.2% due to supply chain halts, BLS PPI.

Statistic 5

Regional economies in DC metro lost $1.8 billion in construction ripple effects.

Statistic 6

Supplier industries (steel, cement) saw 7% order drops, $900 million impact.

Statistic 7

Equipment rental firms reported 25% revenue decline, $400 million nationwide.

Statistic 8

Architect and engineering firms billed 18% less, $1.2 billion loss.

Statistic 9

Insurance premiums for federal projects rose 5% post-disruptions.

Statistic 10

Local tax revenues from construction fell 3.1% in affected states.

Statistic 11

Consumer spending in construction-heavy counties dropped 2.4%.

Statistic 12

Bank lending to construction firms contracted 6%, $15 billion.

Statistic 13

Stock prices of public construction firms fell average 8.2% during shutdown peaks.

Statistic 14

Export of U.S. construction services abroad declined 11% due to firm capacity issues.

Statistic 15

Energy sector tie-ins (pipelines to federal sites) lost $600 million.

Statistic 16

Transportation logistics for materials delayed, adding 12% to trucking costs.

Statistic 17

Hospitality near project sites saw 9% occupancy drop.

Statistic 18

Retail sales in hardware stores fell 5.7% in shutdown months.

Statistic 19

Unemployment insurance claims from construction rose 22%, $450 million payouts.

Statistic 20

Productivity in resuming projects dropped 14% initially.

Statistic 21

Inflation in construction wages spiked 3.8% post-shutdown rehiring rush.

Statistic 22

Venture capital to construction tech firms slowed 15%.

Statistic 23

State infrastructure bonds issuance delayed, $8 billion postponed.

Statistic 24

International confidence in U.S. infra projects waned, costing $2 billion in foreign investment.

Statistic 25

Environmental compliance costs rose 7% from restarted project audits.

Statistic 26

Long-term, repeated shutdowns projected to reduce infra capital stock by 2.1% by 2030.

Statistic 27

85% of Army Corps contracts were disrupted, with 320 projects halted entirely during 2018-19.

Statistic 28

FHWA awarded zero new construction contracts during the 35-day shutdown, stalling 150 bids.

Statistic 29

VA canceled or suspended 45 hospital renovation contracts worth $900 million.

Statistic 30

FAA issued no payments on 200 active airport construction contracts.

Statistic 31

NPS terminated 120 concessionaire-linked construction subcontracts.

Statistic 32

DoD invoked stop-work orders on 180 military family housing contracts.

Statistic 33

GSA paused payments to 95 prime contractors on building projects.

Statistic 34

HUD withheld $250 million in Section 8 rehab contract funds.

Statistic 35

USBR suspended 25 irrigation canal lining contracts.

Statistic 36

EPA halted 40 superfund remediation subcontractor agreements.

Statistic 37

FRA froze 15 bridge replacement contract modifications.

Statistic 38

Smithsonian canceled 12 exhibit hall construction bids.

Statistic 39

USFS issued no-work orders on 80 trail maintenance contracts.

Statistic 40

NOAA terminated 10 pier extension subcontracts.

Statistic 41

BLM paused 35 energy lease site prep contracts.

Statistic 42

USPS delayed 25 facility lease-build contracts.

Statistic 43

TSA suspended 18 checkpoint expansion subcontracts.

Statistic 44

IRS halted 8 data center server room contracts.

Statistic 45

FBI invoked force majeure on 22 site development contracts.

Statistic 46

NASA paused 30 rocket assembly hangar contracts.

Statistic 47

DOE canceled 45 lab expansion task orders.

Statistic 48

State Dept froze 50 overseas compound contracts.

Statistic 49

USAID disrupted 65 infrastructure grant contracts.

Statistic 50

2,500 contracts required renegotiation post-shutdown, adding 15% admin costs.

Statistic 51

Small business set-aside contracts dropped 40%, 1,200 affected in construction.

Statistic 52

2019 shutdown recovery took 90 days for 60% of disrupted contracts to resume.

Statistic 53

The 2018-2019 shutdown furloughed 10,500 construction workers on federal projects, per BLS data.

Statistic 54

Construction unemployment rose 1.2 percentage points in shutdown-affected regions during 2013, impacting 45,000 jobs, BLS.

Statistic 55

AGC survey found 62% of federal contractors laid off workers, totaling 25,000 in construction sector during 2019 shutdown.

Statistic 56

7,200 minority-owned construction firms lost federal work, leading to 15,000 job cuts in 2018-19.

Statistic 57

Women-owned small construction businesses saw 8,500 jobs furloughed due to halted VA projects.

Statistic 58

Highway construction subcontractors dismissed 12,000 workers amid $3 billion funding freeze.

Statistic 59

Army Corps projects idled 4,500 engineers and laborers in civil works.

Statistic 60

FAA runway and tower builds suspended, affecting 2,800 aviation construction jobs.

Statistic 61

NPS trail and facility work stopped, furloughing 1,200 seasonal construction staff.

Statistic 62

DoD base expansions halted, impacting 9,000 military construction workers.

Statistic 63

GSA building projects laid off 1,800 tradespeople nationwide.

Statistic 64

HUD housing rehabs idled 3,400 low-income area workers.

Statistic 65

USACE dam repairs furloughed 2,100 workers in Midwest.

Statistic 66

EPA site cleanups dismissed 950 environmental construction specialists.

Statistic 67

FRA bridge projects cut 1,600 rail construction jobs.

Statistic 68

Smithsonian renovations laid off 450 skilled craftspeople.

Statistic 69

USFS road builds halted, affecting 1,100 forestry construction roles.

Statistic 70

NOAA marine facility work idled 720 workers.

Statistic 71

BLM oil pad constructions suspended, 850 jobs lost.

Statistic 72

USPS depot upgrades furloughed 1,400.

Statistic 73

TSA terminal builds cut 650 security infrastructure jobs.

Statistic 74

IRS facility expansions idled 380.

Statistic 75

FBI site prep dismissed 920.

Statistic 76

NASA hangar constructions halted 1,050 jobs.

Statistic 77

DOE accelerator builds furloughed 2,600 scientists and builders.

Statistic 78

State Dept consulate work abroad cut 1,200 U.S. expat construction roles.

Statistic 79

USAID partner projects idled 900.

Statistic 80

Post-shutdown, construction rehiring lagged by 3 months for 18,000 workers.

Statistic 81

Veteran-owned firms lost 4,200 construction jobs in 2019.

Statistic 82

Overall, shutdowns caused 75,000 temporary construction job losses since 2011.

Statistic 83

During the 2013 government shutdown, U.S. construction spending on federal projects dropped by 12.5% in October, totaling a loss of $1.2 billion, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Statistic 84

The 2018-2019 shutdown led to a 15% reduction in federal highway construction contracts, affecting $3.4 billion in planned expenditures, per the Federal Highway Administration.

Statistic 85

Construction firms reported a 22% decline in billings from federal projects during the 35-day 2018 shutdown, equating to $750 million in lost revenue, according to Associated General Contractors (AGC).

Statistic 86

Federal building construction permits fell by 18% in Q4 2018 due to shutdown uncertainties, costing the industry $900 million, U.S. Census Bureau data.

Statistic 87

The shutdown caused a $1.1 billion shortfall in VA hospital construction funding in 2019, delaying multiple projects nationwide, per Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Statistic 88

Non-residential construction starts linked to federal funding decreased by 9.7% during the 2013 shutdown, valued at $2.3 billion, Dodge Data & Analytics.

Statistic 89

In 2018-19, the Army Corps of Engineers halted $1.6 billion in civil works construction, impacting flood control projects, per USACE reports.

Statistic 90

Federal aviation infrastructure construction lost $450 million in obligated funds during the shutdown, FAA data.

Statistic 91

HUD-funded affordable housing construction expenditures dropped 14% or $320 million in late 2018, per HUD Office of Policy Development.

Statistic 92

National Park Service construction contracts worth $200 million were suspended, leading to revenue losses for contractors, NPS fiscal reports.

Statistic 93

Defense Department military base construction funding of $850 million was frozen in 2019, per DoD Comptroller.

Statistic 94

GSA reported $150 million in halted federal courthouse and office building renovations during the shutdown.

Statistic 95

Bureau of Reclamation irrigation and dam projects lost $280 million in construction progress, FY2019 reports.

Statistic 96

EPA superfund site cleanup construction expenditures fell by 11%, or $110 million, during 2018-19 shutdown.

Statistic 97

Federal railroad bridge and track construction funding cut by $95 million, FRA data.

Statistic 98

Smithsonian Institution facility upgrades costing $75 million were paused, per SI annual report.

Statistic 99

Forest Service road and trail construction lost $140 million in federal allocations.

Statistic 100

NOAA weather station construction projects delayed, costing $60 million, NOAA budget docs.

Statistic 101

BLM land management infrastructure builds halted at $45 million value.

Statistic 102

Postal Service facility modernizations suspended, $120 million impact, USPS reports.

Statistic 103

TSA airport security construction lost $30 million in funding.

Statistic 104

IRS data center construction paused, $25 million loss.

Statistic 105

FBI headquarters planning and site prep cost overruns of $50 million due to shutdown delays.

Statistic 106

NASA facility maintenance construction frozen at $80 million.

Statistic 107

DOE lab renovations halted, $210 million affected.

Statistic 108

State Department embassy construction suspended overseas, $340 million.

Statistic 109

USAID infrastructure projects abroad lost $70 million in U.S. construction firm contracts.

Statistic 110

AmeriCorps-related community construction grants cut by $15 million.

Statistic 111

NEA arts center builds paused at $10 million.

Statistic 112

Overall federal construction outlays declined 8.4% or $4.2 billion in Q1 2019 post-shutdown ripple.

Statistic 113

2013 shutdown delayed 1,200 federal highway projects by average 16 days, per FHWA.

Statistic 114

2018-19 shutdown postponed 450 Army Corps flood control builds by 45-60 days.

Statistic 115

VA medical center expansions delayed 6-9 months for 28 projects, GAO audit.

Statistic 116

FAA NextGen airport upgrades slipped 3 months on 150 sites.

Statistic 117

NPS visitor center constructions delayed average 22 days, 90 projects affected.

Statistic 118

DoD barracks renovations postponed 40 days across 75 bases.

Statistic 119

GSA federal office retrofits delayed 1-2 months, 40 buildings.

Statistic 120

HUD public housing rehabs slipped 25 days for 200 units.

Statistic 121

Bureau of Reclamation aqueduct projects delayed 35 days, 15 sites.

Statistic 122

EPA wastewater treatment plants postponed 50 days, 12 facilities.

Statistic 123

FRA high-speed rail segments delayed 2 months, 8 corridors.

Statistic 124

Smithsonian museum expansions slipped 18 days.

Statistic 125

USFS fire station builds delayed 30 days, 50 stations.

Statistic 126

NOAA research vessel docks postponed 28 days.

Statistic 127

BLM wind farm infrastructure delayed 42 days.

Statistic 128

USPS sorting facility upgrades slipped 20 days, 30 sites.

Statistic 129

TSA baggage screening builds delayed 15 days, 45 airports.

Statistic 130

IRS taxpayer service center renovations postponed 24 days.

Statistic 131

FBI training academy expansions delayed 55 days.

Statistic 132

NASA launch pad upgrades slipped 38 days.

Statistic 133

DOE nuclear waste storage facilities delayed 60 days.

Statistic 134

State Dept embassy security retrofits postponed 32 days, 20 embassies.

Statistic 135

USAID school builds abroad delayed 27 days, 100 schools.

Statistic 136

Cumulative delays across federal projects added 1.2 million worker-days lost in 2019.

Statistic 137

75% of delayed projects faced 10-20% cost overruns due to idle time.

Statistic 138

Post-2013, 300 projects took 4 extra months to restart fully.

1/138

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Picture a $12.5 billion hole ripped from the bedrock of American construction, and you begin to grasp the staggering economic wreckage that government shutdowns inflict on an industry that builds our nation.

Key Takeaways

During the 2013 government shutdown, U.S. construction spending on federal projects dropped by 12.5% in October, totaling a loss of $1.2 billion, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The 2018-2019 shutdown led to a 15% reduction in federal highway construction contracts, affecting $3.4 billion in planned expenditures, per the Federal Highway Administration.
Construction firms reported a 22% decline in billings from federal projects during the 35-day 2018 shutdown, equating to $750 million in lost revenue, according to Associated General Contractors (AGC).
The 2018-2019 shutdown furloughed 10,500 construction workers on federal projects, per BLS data.
Construction unemployment rose 1.2 percentage points in shutdown-affected regions during 2013, impacting 45,000 jobs, BLS.
AGC survey found 62% of federal contractors laid off workers, totaling 25,000 in construction sector during 2019 shutdown.
2013 shutdown delayed 1,200 federal highway projects by average 16 days, per FHWA.
2018-19 shutdown postponed 450 Army Corps flood control builds by 45-60 days.
VA medical center expansions delayed 6-9 months for 28 projects, GAO audit.
85% of Army Corps contracts were disrupted, with 320 projects halted entirely during 2018-19.
FHWA awarded zero new construction contracts during the 35-day shutdown, stalling 150 bids.
VA canceled or suspended 45 hospital renovation contracts worth $900 million.
Post-2018 shutdown, construction GDP contracted 0.3% in Q1 2019, $5.6 billion loss, BEA data.
Shutdowns since 2011 reduced annual construction output by 0.8%, or $12 billion cumulatively, CBO estimate.
Multiplier effect: each $1 federal construction loss cut private sector output by $2.10, IMF analysis.

Government shutdowns cause billions in losses and widespread job cuts across construction.

Broader Economic Ripple Effects

Post-2018 shutdown, construction GDP contracted 0.3% in Q1 2019, $5.6 billion loss, BEA data.
Shutdowns since 2011 reduced annual construction output by 0.8%, or $12 billion cumulatively, CBO estimate.
Multiplier effect: each $1 federal construction loss cut private sector output by $2.10, IMF analysis.
2013 shutdown increased construction material prices 4.2% due to supply chain halts, BLS PPI.
Regional economies in DC metro lost $1.8 billion in construction ripple effects.
Supplier industries (steel, cement) saw 7% order drops, $900 million impact.
Equipment rental firms reported 25% revenue decline, $400 million nationwide.
Architect and engineering firms billed 18% less, $1.2 billion loss.
Insurance premiums for federal projects rose 5% post-disruptions.
Local tax revenues from construction fell 3.1% in affected states.
Consumer spending in construction-heavy counties dropped 2.4%.
Bank lending to construction firms contracted 6%, $15 billion.
Stock prices of public construction firms fell average 8.2% during shutdown peaks.
Export of U.S. construction services abroad declined 11% due to firm capacity issues.
Energy sector tie-ins (pipelines to federal sites) lost $600 million.
Transportation logistics for materials delayed, adding 12% to trucking costs.
Hospitality near project sites saw 9% occupancy drop.
Retail sales in hardware stores fell 5.7% in shutdown months.
Unemployment insurance claims from construction rose 22%, $450 million payouts.
Productivity in resuming projects dropped 14% initially.
Inflation in construction wages spiked 3.8% post-shutdown rehiring rush.
Venture capital to construction tech firms slowed 15%.
State infrastructure bonds issuance delayed, $8 billion postponed.
International confidence in U.S. infra projects waned, costing $2 billion in foreign investment.
Environmental compliance costs rose 7% from restarted project audits.
Long-term, repeated shutdowns projected to reduce infra capital stock by 2.1% by 2030.

Broader Economic Ripple Effects Interpretation

While government shutdowns are framed as political savings, they function as remarkably expensive demolition projects, quietly tearing down billions from our economy, destabilizing entire industries, and charging the public a steep and compounding price for the rubble left behind.

Contract Disruptions

85% of Army Corps contracts were disrupted, with 320 projects halted entirely during 2018-19.
FHWA awarded zero new construction contracts during the 35-day shutdown, stalling 150 bids.
VA canceled or suspended 45 hospital renovation contracts worth $900 million.
FAA issued no payments on 200 active airport construction contracts.
NPS terminated 120 concessionaire-linked construction subcontracts.
DoD invoked stop-work orders on 180 military family housing contracts.
GSA paused payments to 95 prime contractors on building projects.
HUD withheld $250 million in Section 8 rehab contract funds.
USBR suspended 25 irrigation canal lining contracts.
EPA halted 40 superfund remediation subcontractor agreements.
FRA froze 15 bridge replacement contract modifications.
Smithsonian canceled 12 exhibit hall construction bids.
USFS issued no-work orders on 80 trail maintenance contracts.
NOAA terminated 10 pier extension subcontracts.
BLM paused 35 energy lease site prep contracts.
USPS delayed 25 facility lease-build contracts.
TSA suspended 18 checkpoint expansion subcontracts.
IRS halted 8 data center server room contracts.
FBI invoked force majeure on 22 site development contracts.
NASA paused 30 rocket assembly hangar contracts.
DOE canceled 45 lab expansion task orders.
State Dept froze 50 overseas compound contracts.
USAID disrupted 65 infrastructure grant contracts.
2,500 contracts required renegotiation post-shutdown, adding 15% admin costs.
Small business set-aside contracts dropped 40%, 1,200 affected in construction.
2019 shutdown recovery took 90 days for 60% of disrupted contracts to resume.

Contract Disruptions Interpretation

A government shutdown isn't a political pause but a sledgehammer to the nation's scaffolding, halting everything from harbors to housing and proving that paralyzing the purse strings means contractors, concrete, and communities all get left in the lurch.

Employment Effects

The 2018-2019 shutdown furloughed 10,500 construction workers on federal projects, per BLS data.
Construction unemployment rose 1.2 percentage points in shutdown-affected regions during 2013, impacting 45,000 jobs, BLS.
AGC survey found 62% of federal contractors laid off workers, totaling 25,000 in construction sector during 2019 shutdown.
7,200 minority-owned construction firms lost federal work, leading to 15,000 job cuts in 2018-19.
Women-owned small construction businesses saw 8,500 jobs furloughed due to halted VA projects.
Highway construction subcontractors dismissed 12,000 workers amid $3 billion funding freeze.
Army Corps projects idled 4,500 engineers and laborers in civil works.
FAA runway and tower builds suspended, affecting 2,800 aviation construction jobs.
NPS trail and facility work stopped, furloughing 1,200 seasonal construction staff.
DoD base expansions halted, impacting 9,000 military construction workers.
GSA building projects laid off 1,800 tradespeople nationwide.
HUD housing rehabs idled 3,400 low-income area workers.
USACE dam repairs furloughed 2,100 workers in Midwest.
EPA site cleanups dismissed 950 environmental construction specialists.
FRA bridge projects cut 1,600 rail construction jobs.
Smithsonian renovations laid off 450 skilled craftspeople.
USFS road builds halted, affecting 1,100 forestry construction roles.
NOAA marine facility work idled 720 workers.
BLM oil pad constructions suspended, 850 jobs lost.
USPS depot upgrades furloughed 1,400.
TSA terminal builds cut 650 security infrastructure jobs.
IRS facility expansions idled 380.
FBI site prep dismissed 920.
NASA hangar constructions halted 1,050 jobs.
DOE accelerator builds furloughed 2,600 scientists and builders.
State Dept consulate work abroad cut 1,200 U.S. expat construction roles.
USAID partner projects idled 900.
Post-shutdown, construction rehiring lagged by 3 months for 18,000 workers.
Veteran-owned firms lost 4,200 construction jobs in 2019.
Overall, shutdowns caused 75,000 temporary construction job losses since 2011.

Employment Effects Interpretation

The statistics paint a grimly absurd picture of our government's dysfunction, where shutting its doors doesn't just pause paperwork but actively demolishes the livelihoods of tens of thousands of construction workers, from the electrician on a VA hospital to the engineer at a dam, proving that political theater has a very real and crumbling set.

Financial Impact

During the 2013 government shutdown, U.S. construction spending on federal projects dropped by 12.5% in October, totaling a loss of $1.2 billion, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The 2018-2019 shutdown led to a 15% reduction in federal highway construction contracts, affecting $3.4 billion in planned expenditures, per the Federal Highway Administration.
Construction firms reported a 22% decline in billings from federal projects during the 35-day 2018 shutdown, equating to $750 million in lost revenue, according to Associated General Contractors (AGC).
Federal building construction permits fell by 18% in Q4 2018 due to shutdown uncertainties, costing the industry $900 million, U.S. Census Bureau data.
The shutdown caused a $1.1 billion shortfall in VA hospital construction funding in 2019, delaying multiple projects nationwide, per Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Non-residential construction starts linked to federal funding decreased by 9.7% during the 2013 shutdown, valued at $2.3 billion, Dodge Data & Analytics.
In 2018-19, the Army Corps of Engineers halted $1.6 billion in civil works construction, impacting flood control projects, per USACE reports.
Federal aviation infrastructure construction lost $450 million in obligated funds during the shutdown, FAA data.
HUD-funded affordable housing construction expenditures dropped 14% or $320 million in late 2018, per HUD Office of Policy Development.
National Park Service construction contracts worth $200 million were suspended, leading to revenue losses for contractors, NPS fiscal reports.
Defense Department military base construction funding of $850 million was frozen in 2019, per DoD Comptroller.
GSA reported $150 million in halted federal courthouse and office building renovations during the shutdown.
Bureau of Reclamation irrigation and dam projects lost $280 million in construction progress, FY2019 reports.
EPA superfund site cleanup construction expenditures fell by 11%, or $110 million, during 2018-19 shutdown.
Federal railroad bridge and track construction funding cut by $95 million, FRA data.
Smithsonian Institution facility upgrades costing $75 million were paused, per SI annual report.
Forest Service road and trail construction lost $140 million in federal allocations.
NOAA weather station construction projects delayed, costing $60 million, NOAA budget docs.
BLM land management infrastructure builds halted at $45 million value.
Postal Service facility modernizations suspended, $120 million impact, USPS reports.
TSA airport security construction lost $30 million in funding.
IRS data center construction paused, $25 million loss.
FBI headquarters planning and site prep cost overruns of $50 million due to shutdown delays.
NASA facility maintenance construction frozen at $80 million.
DOE lab renovations halted, $210 million affected.
State Department embassy construction suspended overseas, $340 million.
USAID infrastructure projects abroad lost $70 million in U.S. construction firm contracts.
AmeriCorps-related community construction grants cut by $15 million.
NEA arts center builds paused at $10 million.
Overall federal construction outlays declined 8.4% or $4.2 billion in Q1 2019 post-shutdown ripple.

Financial Impact Interpretation

While one might imagine the government merely hitting a dramatic pause button, the sobering reality shows these shutdowns are essentially a multi-billion dollar wrecking ball swung directly at the construction industry and the critical public infrastructure we all depend on.

Project Delays

2013 shutdown delayed 1,200 federal highway projects by average 16 days, per FHWA.
2018-19 shutdown postponed 450 Army Corps flood control builds by 45-60 days.
VA medical center expansions delayed 6-9 months for 28 projects, GAO audit.
FAA NextGen airport upgrades slipped 3 months on 150 sites.
NPS visitor center constructions delayed average 22 days, 90 projects affected.
DoD barracks renovations postponed 40 days across 75 bases.
GSA federal office retrofits delayed 1-2 months, 40 buildings.
HUD public housing rehabs slipped 25 days for 200 units.
Bureau of Reclamation aqueduct projects delayed 35 days, 15 sites.
EPA wastewater treatment plants postponed 50 days, 12 facilities.
FRA high-speed rail segments delayed 2 months, 8 corridors.
Smithsonian museum expansions slipped 18 days.
USFS fire station builds delayed 30 days, 50 stations.
NOAA research vessel docks postponed 28 days.
BLM wind farm infrastructure delayed 42 days.
USPS sorting facility upgrades slipped 20 days, 30 sites.
TSA baggage screening builds delayed 15 days, 45 airports.
IRS taxpayer service center renovations postponed 24 days.
FBI training academy expansions delayed 55 days.
NASA launch pad upgrades slipped 38 days.
DOE nuclear waste storage facilities delayed 60 days.
State Dept embassy security retrofits postponed 32 days, 20 embassies.
USAID school builds abroad delayed 27 days, 100 schools.
Cumulative delays across federal projects added 1.2 million worker-days lost in 2019.
75% of delayed projects faced 10-20% cost overruns due to idle time.
Post-2013, 300 projects took 4 extra months to restart fully.

Project Delays Interpretation

These statistics lay out a meticulous, damning ledger proving that a government shutdown is not a pause but an incredibly expensive, self-inflicted wound, racking up millions in overruns and squandering over a million workdays on delays from flood control to fire stations.

Sources & References

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