Noem working to keep Mount Rushmore open if federal government shuts down

South Dakota, National Parks Service have partnered in past to keep national memorial complex operational amid stalemates on Capitol Hill

Gov. Kristi Noem’s office is reviewing whether Mount Rushmore National Memorial can remain open should the federal government be unable to avoid a shutdown.

Falling under the purview of the National Parks Service, the Black Hills monument is a federal facility that would see operational funding dry up if lawmakers on Capitol Hill can’t reach a budget deal ahead of an Oct. 1 deadline.

It’s happened during past shutdowns of the federal government, as was the case amid a game of chicken in late 2018 between a Democratic Party-controlled Congress and then-President Donald Trump.

But Mount Rushmore has also stayed open during shutdowns when the federal government has allowed the state to foot the bill of operating South Dakota’s top tourist attraction.

And right now, the governor’s office is reviewing whether that can happen again this time around.

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