Government shutdown live updates as funding lapse becomes second-longest in history - CBS News

Original story by: CBS News Last updated: Oct 22, 2025

Context: Republican representatives Bruce Westerman and Mike Simpson discussed the negative impacts of a government shutdown on national parks and public lands. They highlighted concerns about the potential for closures and the disruption to visitor experiences.
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Detailed Summary:
- GOP Rep. Bruce Westerman, Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, emphasized that while most national parks remain open with reduced services, indefinite continuation of the shutdown could lead to full closures.
- Westerman warned of accumulating litter and negative impacts on park ecosystems due to insufficient staffing.
- GOP Rep. Mike Simpson, Chairman of the subcommittee overseeing Interior Department appropriations, stated that families are canceling long-planned vacations to national parks because of the shutdown.
- Both lawmakers acknowledged the Trump administration's efforts to keep parks accessible, contrasting it with the 2013 shutdown when parks were closed under the Obama administration.