San Diego’s Cabrillo National Monument was closed Saturday as a result of the partial federal government shutdown that went into effect at midnight over President Trump’s demand for $5 billion in border wall funding.
The monument’s website said it was shuttered Saturday “for the safety of visitors and park resources” due to the lapse in federal funds, and the site wouldn’t be updated during the shutdown.
The status of many National Parks is unclear. Workers were to be furloughed, but the parks themselves were expected to remain accessible for the most part.
Congress approved funds for about three-quarters of the federal government in September, but the budgets for the remaining portions of the government had a Dec. 21 deadline for funding to pass.
The shutdown crisis began when Trump, facing pressure from his conservative base over the wall, refused to sign an interim spending bill that the White House had previously agreed to. He told Democratic leaders he was willing to see the government close.
OUR GREAT COUNTRY MUST HAVE BORDER SECURITY! pic.twitter.com/ZGcYygMf3a
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 22, 2018
The Republican majority in the House then passed a stopgap funding bill Thursday with $5 billion demanded by Trump for a wall. However, Republicans in the Senate did not have sufficient votes to overcome Democratic opposition to the funding.
The Senate adjourned without a deal Saturday afternoon, ensuring the shutdown will continue at least through Thursday. Many workers were off during the Christmas holiday anyway, meaning the full effects of the shutdown won’t likely be felt unless it goes on longer.
At midnight last night, roughly twenty five percent of the government shut down because of one person and one person alone: President @realDonaldTrump.
We arrived at this moment because President Trump has been on a remarkable two-week temper tantrum. https://t.co/f69bgRxfep
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 22, 2018
The departments of Interior, Homeland Security, State, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Commerce and Justice were all affected by the partial shutdown.
Workers such as Border Patrol agents and Transportation Security Administration workers were expected to continue working. The U.S. Postal Service was unaffected by the shutdown and will continue to deliver mail.
