GOP Leaders Trying to Divert Attention with Shutdown Parks Ploy

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration today suggested it may try to keep some parts of the national park system open in the event of a government shutdown.

The following is a statement from Scott Slesinger, legislative director at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“Sec. Zinke and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill don’t get to pick winners and losers. If they force a government shutdown, everyone loses. Not only is keeping the parks partially open illegal under the Antideficiency Act and potentially dangerous for parks and their visitors—it’s nothing more than a bald-faced attempt to divert Americans’ attention away from the GOP’s extreme agenda. Given Republican control of Congress and the White House, they have a responsibility to keep the government running.”

More on the Antideficiency Act: https://www.gao.gov/legal/anti-deficiency-act/about

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.