United States government is in a shutdown failing to pass the budget bill on Friday. Likely to have been affected was the statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island that was due to be opened on Monday. Lawmakers failed to pass a spending bill on Friday forcing the government into a shutdown limo. Ideally, federal workers are furloughed hence rendered non-essential but on a temporary basis or a temporary layoff. National security, airports, national mail services and law enforcement still operate despite a government shutdown.
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is an important economic pillar for the state of New York. It is with this same spirit that the Governor, Andrew Cuomo assured New Yorkers that the two pillars would remain open despite the government shutdown. This is possible because of a deal made with state officials during the federal government shutdown that had forced the sited to be closed on Saturday. Economics of the sites is what made the state’s officials solicit the deal. In a day, the sites receive 12,000 visits a day, and each pays $21.50 each. The state, therefore, makes about $258,000 a day. The statesmen made a deal on Sunday with the Interior Department to cover the site’s operating costs amounting to $65,000 per day.
Cuomo acknowledged the move as a good investment because the income gotten from tourists supersedes the operating costs. Federal officials also reiterated that national monuments should not be affected by government shutdown such as the current budget stalemate in Congress. Cuomo stated on Sunday that just like when the federal government underwent a shutdown in 2013, the Statue of Liberty remained open and that would be the case as of the present situation
The shutdown is brought about by a stalemate between Republican and Democrat Congressmen on passing the budget spending bill. Passing of the spending bill has not met its threshold as some members are voting against it as a mechanism to ransom Republicans to repeal the decision to deport over 600,000 ‘dreamers.’ The legislators meet again this Monday to vote on the spending bill with the hope of ending the stalemate.
Andrew Cuomo is seeking a third term in office and is the possible year 2020 presidential candidate. As the move will support his re-election bid, it also suffices as a symbol of hope for the American people.
