The US shutdown has begun: how will it affect New York's parks and museums?

On October 1, the US federal government shut down due to the lack of a budget agreement. How this decision affected New York City is discussed. Time-out.

The United States government has shut down for the first time in seven years. The reason was Congress's failure to approve budgets for several federal agencies in a timely manner.

Some cultural organizations and federal institutions closed, and city residents faced the consequences.

Reasons for the shutdown

Federal leaders were unable to reach an agreement on a budget by the deadline. Democrats and Republicans refused to make concessions, leading to a funding freeze.

Some agencies continue to operate, while others have temporarily closed. Employees deemed "non-essential" have not reported to work.

On the subject: The Secret Service discovered a SIM card farm that could have knocked out cell phone service in New York City.

National security services are working - the FBI, CIA, the military, veterans' health care, and the postal service. But for other agencies, the situation remains uncertain.

Which establishments have closed in New York City?

Congress missed a midnight deadline to submit funding requests, triggering the first government shutdown. USA in almost seven years—and the third under Donald Trump's presidency.

Experience from previous shutdowns has shown that federally funded museums and cultural facilities were the first to shut down.

National Museum of American Indians

This museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, has closed its doors again. It houses approximately 825,000 objects from 1200 Native cultures, spanning 12,000 years of history. The collection is displayed in a 1907 building—the former Customs House—at 1 Bowling Green.

The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

Housed in a mansion on the Upper East Side, this museum is dedicated to the history and development of design.

Its collection spans 3000 years. As part of the Smithsonian Institution, it too ceased operations.

Memorable places

Previous shutdowns have closed the African Burial Ground National Monument in Lower Manhattan, Grant's Tomb on the Upper West Side, Hamilton Grange, and Federal Hall on Wall Street. All are now closed to the public again.

Gateway National Recreation Area

Recreational zone, which stretches through Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and parts of New Jersey, remains formally open but without customer service.

Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty

And finally, Ellis Island. The state stepped in to keep Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty operational during the 2018 lockdown. According to Curbed, this cost the state $65,000 per day.

Possible consequences

It's still unclear how long the shutdown will last. Republicans proposed extending funding until November 21, while Democrats proposed extending it until the end of October, adding amendments on healthcare and limiting the president's authority to block spending.

A short-term shutdown doesn't have a significant impact on the economy, but if the crisis lasts for a long time, the consequences become noticeable.

"This creates uncertainty in understanding the role of government in society and its financial impact on the programs it supports," said Congressional Budget Office Director Philip Swagel.

The last major shutdown lasted from December 2018 to January 2019 during the Donald Trump administration. The country's economy permanently lost approximately $3 billion.