The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirmed to Benzinga on Wednesday that it is grappling with a staffing crisis, validating growing concerns among top economists that the quality of government data has deteriorated following the federal shutdown in late 2025.The Scoop: A Hollowed-Out BureauIn an email to Benzinga, the BLS press office confirmed that “agency staffing has decreased by about 25% over the last year, and approximately 40% of leadership positions are currently vacant.”The confirmation follows ...