When the shutdown began on Oct.1, economists were relatively unconcerned about the economic impact. Based on prior experience, they estimated that the shutdown would subtract about 0.1%-0.2 percentage points from annualized GDP growth in the October-December quarter for each week it lasts. But all their initial estimates always mentioned that risks to the economy would grow as the shutdown continued. "There are also knock-on effects on government contractors, other private businesses and consumers that are tougher to anticipate but grow more disruptive to the economy with each passing week," explained the economic ... (full story)