The Smithsonian Institution’s 19 museums, galleries, gardens, and National Zoo will be forced to close to the public if lawmakers and President Trump are unable to fully fund the government by Jan. 1.
The Smithsonian, which includes the National Zoo, has been able to remain open during the partial government shutdown thanks to leftover funding from previous years.
But with no indication of a deal ready to be made between Democrats and Republicans, the Smithsonian is now warning it cannot sustain operations much longer.
“If the current U.S. federal government shutdown, which began Dec. 22, continues past Jan. 1, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will close, effective Jan. 2,” the museum headquarters said in a statement. “The Smithsonian has been using prior-year funds to remain open to the public through Jan. 1. If the federal-funding lapse continues, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will close Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.”
Around two-thirds of all Smithsonian employees will be furloughed. The others will continue working without pay in order to carry out essential duties, including the care of zoo animals and security operations, according to NPR.
Federal dollars make up about 70 percent of the zoo’s operating budget. Tasks deemed nonessential will be cut on Jan. 2, including the beloved Panda Cam, which allows people to livestream footage of Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Bei Bei, the zoo said.
The last time the Smithsonian fully closed was in the fall of 2013 due to a government shutdown.
