The federal government officially shut down at midnight on October 1 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump did not come to an agreement before the deadline. The government will be required to furlough all “non-excepted” employees. The non-excepted employees, all those who protect life and property, will be required to stay on the job, but they will not get paid until the shutdown ends. These employees include FBI investigators, CIA officers, air traffic controllers and agents at airport checkpoints, as well as the members of the military.

The National Park Service plans to furlough 68% of its employees. Open-air parks sites will remain open to the public, but visitor centers and other buildings requiring staffing will close. Health and safety will continue to be addressed for open sites, including rest rooms and trash removal. Emergency services will be limited, and the Department of the Interior said that if public access begins to pose a safety, health or resource protection issue, an area must close.

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, a group of former national park superintendents called for the parks to close to visitors during the shutdown.

“Leaving parks even partially open to the public during a shutdown with minimal or no park staffing is reckless and puts both visitors and park resources at risk,” the former superintendents said in the letter.

“National parks don’t run themselves. It is hardworking National Park Service employees that keep them safe, clean and accessible,” they wrote. “If sufficient staff aren’t there, visitors shouldn’t be either.”

During a government shutdown in 2018 and 2019, the parks remained open, but many sustained damage without proper oversight.

Democrats want Congress to address subsidies to the Affordable Care Act, which will expire at the end of the year. Republicans argue they can address that issue later, and this simple bill should be passed.