Smithsonian And National Zoo To Close After New Year's Day In Government Shutdown
"There's no getting around it," Linda St. Thomas, chief spokeswoman for the Smithsonian. About two-thirds of the institution's staff are federal employees and will be furloughed effective Jan. 2.
As hope for a last-minute resolution to the political standoff that has triggered the all but evaporates, Smithsonian officials announced Thursday all of its museums as well as the National Zoo will be shuttered on Jan. 2, unless a deal is reached.
