The dollar index hovered near 97.8 on Wednesday after sliding for three straight sessions, as concerns over a potential US government shutdown weighed on sentiment. A shutdown is set to begin at midnight unless Congress reaches a temporary funding deal, with Republicans and Democrats trading blame for the stalemate. Traders are focused on how long the closure might last, as a prolonged disruption could delay key data releases ahead of the Federal Reserve’s late-October policy meeting, including Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report. That places added importance on ADP’s private payrolls figures due later today. On Tuesday, the dollar also came under pressure from mixed JOLTS data showing a small rise in job openings but weaker hiring in August, reinforcing signs of a cooling labor market.