The ongoing U.S. government shutdown is beginning to weigh on the economy, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday as the closure stretched into its 13th day.
“This is getting serious — it’s starting to affect the real economy,” Bessent told Fox Business Network’s *Mornings with Maria*. He didn’t go into specific details but acknowledged that the financial strain is becoming harder to manage.
Bessent explained that the government is prioritizing pay for U.S. military personnel, which means holding back payments in other areas. As a result, federal workers are being furloughed, and popular public institutions like the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are facing disruptions.
“We’re having to move money around and make some tough calls,” he said. “That includes furloughing workers here in Washington, D.C., and across the country.”
He also noted that the shutdown has stalled federal assistance to U.S. farmers and delayed the release of official Treasury economic data until government operations resume.
