Shutdown could close Smithsonian museums and zoo
NPR reports that a U.S. federal government shutdown could force closure of Smithsonian museums and suspend many visitor services in Washington, D.C. — the Smithsonian draws about 62% of its funding from the federal government and runs 21 museums plus the National Zoo. While zoo animals will continue to be fed and cared for, webcams and other nonessential services would be turned off; outdoor national monuments would remain physically accessible per NPS guidance but tours and visitor centers are likely to close.
Government/Regulatory
Culture
🔍 Key Facts
- Smithsonian Institution receives roughly 62% federal funding and oversees 21 museums plus the National Zoo
- National Zoo and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute will continue animal care, but live webcams will be disabled because they require federal staff/resources
- National Park Service guidance indicates outdoor monuments (Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam Veterans Memorial) remain physically accessible, but tours and visitor centers—considered nonessential—would close
- Kennedy Center programming is privately supported; the One Big Beautiful Bill included $257 million for the Kennedy Center's repairs and maintenance
- Ford's Theatre (a public–private partner with NPS) will close daytime museum visits and access to the Petersen House, though performances and some operations will continue
📍 Contextual Background
- Social Security benefits are funded through mandatory spending, meaning the program's funding is provided without an annual expiration and does not require yearly appropriations to continue benefit payments.
- The Social Security Administration's contingency plans provide that in the event of a lapse in appropriations the agency will follow those plans and beneficiaries would continue receiving Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
- During a U.S. federal government shutdown, active-duty military personnel and deployed National Guard members must continue to perform their assigned duties but their pay is delayed until the shutdown ends.
- The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 provides that government employees automatically receive back pay after a government shutdown.
- Civilian personnel whose work the Department of Defense designates as 'excepted' continue to work during a government shutdown, while other Department of Defense civilian employees are furloughed.
- Republicans and Democrats were engaged in negotiations over government funding ahead of an upcoming funding deadline described as occurring on a Tuesday.
- A Social Security Administration contingency plan published on Sept. 24 indicated that about 45,000 SSA employees (roughly 90% of the agency's workforce) would remain on the job during a government shutdown, while roughly 6,200 employees would be furloughed.