Funding Boost Supports Critical Labor Market Data Collection

On March 14, 2025, Congress passed a continuing resolution that includes a $6 million increase in funding for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The understanding is that this funding boost is designed to address immediate operational needs at BLS, including support for one of its most essential surveys—the Current Population Survey (CPS).

The CPS is a vital monthly household survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for BLS. It serves as the foundation for key labor force indicators, including the official national unemployment rate. In addition to its national significance, the CPS also plays an important role in the estimation of state-level unemployment rates.

Maintaining the integrity of the CPS sample is crucial to ensuring the continued reliability of this data. The additional $6 million in funding will help BLS avoid potential reductions in the survey’s scope, which could have jeopardized the quality of the labor market information used by policymakers, researchers, businesses, and the public.

As the economic landscape continues to evolve, timely and accurate labor force data remains essential for understanding employment trends across the country. This funding increase represents a meaningful step toward supporting that goal.

Learn more about labor market data and join the conversation at the LMI Institute Annual Forum—visit lmiontheweb.org for event details and registration.