Is TSC hiring freeze a sign of things to come?

Lurking for a while, but this might be something. I've been trying to get a requisition approved for a critical role on my team for a couple of months now, and it's just been stuck in limbo. HR keeps saying 'budget review' and 'strategic alignment,' which sounds like corporate speak for 'not happening anytime soon.' It's not just my department either; I've heard from a couple of other managers that similar requests are being delayed or outright denied. This feels different from typical budget cycles. Combined with the general economic uncertainty, it's making me wonder if this is an unofficial hiring freeze that could precede larger workforce adjustments. Anyone else seeing this trickle-down effect with hiring? Curious if this is a widespread thing or just my area. Trying to brace myself just in case.