Four of the 12 Federal Reserve districts reported slower economic growth while eight others said the expansion held steady amid “uncertainty” stemming from the U.S. fiscal deadlock, the central bank said today.

Growth remained “modest to moderate” as consumer spending maintained gains and business investment grew, the Fed said today in its Beige Book business survey. The report provides policy makers anecdotal accounts from the Fed districts two weeks before they meet to set monetary policy.

Employment growth “remained modest” in September, and price and wage pressures “were again limited,” the central bank said based on information gathered through Oct. 7, after the partial government shutdown began Oct. 1. Many contacts “noted an increase in uncertainty due largely to the federal government shutdown and debt-ceiling debate,” the Fed said. “Retailers generally remained optimistic about the holiday shopping season.”