DHS shutdown has caused at least $2.5 billion in losses so far — but damage expected to be far worse, economists say

WASHINGTON — The month-long Department of Homeland Security shutdown has dealt a $2.5 billion blow to the economy so far, White House economists have forecasted — on top of an over $90 billion loss from last year’s record-breaking stoppage.

That current $2.5 billion damage estimate from the White House Council of Economic Advisers is a very “conservative figure that only includes the ‘direct’ effects of reduced government expenditures” and doesn’t account for the adverse ripple effects of the partial DHS shutdown, The Post has learned.

“With each passing day, more Americans are feeling the economic impacts of the Democrats’ DHS shutdown,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told The Post.

“Whether it be the 100,000 DHS employees – including TSA officers – missing their paychecks or the countless Americans missing flights due to long airport lines, the Democrats’ partisan games have consequences.”

The $2.5 billion annualized quarterly gross domestic product loss only reflects the cost of government employees and contractors losing paychecks — rather than the broader economic impact of travel delays and the loss of consumer spending.

But the fuller consequences will eventually come to light.