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Trump’s Top Economic Adviser Says Shutdown Won’t Affect Economy

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Tim Pearce Energy Reporter
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The partial government shutdown initiated after Democrats refused to fund President Donald Trump’s $5.7 billion border wall will not significantly impact the economy, according to a top Trump economic advisor.

Kevin Hassett, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, told reporters Wednesday that some federal employees might miss a payday because of the government shutdown. Any overall impact on the economy would be minimal after the furloughed workers receive backpay after Congress passes a spending bill. (RELATED: Federal Workers Will Get Holiday Paychecks Even If Government Shuts Down)

The federal government went into a partial shutdown Friday night at midnight after Congress failed to come to a consensus on a spending bill. House Republicans passed a version of a spending bill that included $5.7 billion border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. The bill died in the Senate after Democrats largely refused to support it.

Recent volatility in the stock market has led some to blame the government shutdown for the unpredictable market behavior. The U.S. stock market took the largest Christmas Eve plunge in history Monday. The market bounced back Wednesday as the Dow rose as many as 562 points.

Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett gestures as he speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 10, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett gestures as he speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 10, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

December is still on pace to post its worst performance since the 1930s, however, according to CNN.

Though some have blamed the government shutdown for the recent market volatility, economists pointed to a host of other economic reasons the market could be reacting to.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates four times in 2018, tamping down stock market gains throughout the year. Trump’s trade wars and tariffs might also be dragging down economic activity.

In Britain, the uncertain future of a Brexit deal might be unsettling to investors and companies waiting to see the eventual makeup of an economic relationship between Britain and the European Union.

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