Smithsonian Shuts Down Amid Prolonged Government Impasse
In the wake of an extended government shutdown, the Smithsonian Institution has announced the closure of its array of museums, the National Zoo, and additional facilities, effective this Sunday. This decision comes as the federal trust’s resources have been depleted, leaving these cultural landmarks in the crossfire of ongoing budgetary disputes.
The Smithsonian conveyed their operational decision through social media, stating, “We will update our operating status as soon as the situation is resolved. We do not plan to update social media other than to inform you of changes to our operating status.” As a result, all 21 Smithsonian museums, research centers, and the National Zoo will temporarily close their doors.
While concerns over animal care at the zoo rose among social media users, the Smithsonian reassured the public about the welfare of its animals. In a statement, the institution declared, “All the animals at the Zoo and at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, will continue to be fed and cared for. A shutdown will not affect our commitment to the safety of our staff and standard of excellence in animal care.”
However, the Zoo’s popular animal cams will not be operational during the shutdown, as they are deemed nonessential.
Funding from the federal government accounts for approximately 62% of the Smithsonian’s budget, enabling free entry to its D.C. museums and the National Zoo. Initially, the Smithsonian utilized prior-year funds to maintain operations during the first 11 days of the shutdown, but those funds have now been exhausted.
The Smithsonian joins a growing list of institutions affected by the shutdown. Numerous national parks have also closed their gates as employees classified as nonessential were sent home pending a resolution. This situation has led to significant disruptions across various federal departments, with thousands of workers receiving reduction in force notices, indicating impending layoffs.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
