BLS nominee suggests pausing monthly jobs data

A nomination for the BLS commissioner proposes pausing the monthly jobs report in favor of revised quarterly data, sparking questions about data credibility and policy implications.

BLS nominee pushes to pause monthly jobs report

EJ Antoni, nominated by President Trump to become the next commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, has called for pausing the monthly jobs report until revisions can ensure greater accuracy. In an interview with Fox Business conducted before his nomination, he proposed that the BLS publish quarterly data after revisions, arguing that major decision makers from Wall Street to Washington rely on these numbers and that a lack of confidence in the data has far reaching consequences.

The article lays out the context, noting that recent revisions to May and June data were large. May’s total was revised down to 19 000 from 139 000, a 120 000 revision. June’s total was revised to 14 000 from 147 000, a 133 000 revision. It also explains how the BLS collects data and conducts annual benchmark revisions using the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, and it emphasizes that monthly figures are not final even after revisions and that revisions are a normal part of measuring the job market.

The proposal highlights a conflict between precision and timeliness. If adopted, it could slow the release cycle and shift trust from a monthly snapshot to a less frequent reference point. The conversation also exposes how data integrity is a political issue when it intersects with policy momentum and public perception. In the long run, credibility will hinge on transparent methodology and clear communication about revisions rather than headlines that paint a definitive picture of the labor market.

Highlights

The data debate will shape how the public understands the job market for years to come.