Nelson Schwartz

The U.S. economy barely grew last quarter, finishing the year much as it had started and stoking concern about its momentum in 2016.

Despite still-healthy spending by consumers, the U.S. economy slowed significantly last quarter, the government said Thursday.

Stalled pallets of goods idling at ports. Reduced foot traffic at sandwich shops in downtown Washington. Canceled vacations to the Capital and to destinations abroad. Slashed corporate earnings forecasts. Higher interest payments on short-term debt.

As the government shutdown grinds toward a potential debt default, some of the country's most influential business executives have come to a conclusion all but unthinkable a few years ago: Their voices are carrying little weight with the House majority that their millions of dollars in campaign contributions helped build and sustain.