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Federal Budget Crunch May Force Statue of Liberty to Close

By DNAinfo Staff on February 27, 2011 5:19pm  | Updated on February 27, 2011 12:47pm

New York State may be forced to close city tourist attractions like Liberty Island, if an expected federal government shutdown happens next Friday, the New York Daily News reported.
New York State may be forced to close city tourist attractions like Liberty Island, if an expected federal government shutdown happens next Friday, the New York Daily News reported.
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Flickr/John and Gill

By Gabriela Resto-Montero

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — A government shutdown in Washington, D.C., could leave Liberty Island and other New York City attractions closed to visitors, the New York Daily News reported.

Federally run places, like Liberty Island, would be closed if Republicans and Democrats fail to agree on a budget by Friday, the News reported.

"A shutdown would be very bad for our economy in New York, and could threaten the Social Security checks for millions of seniors and critical benefits for our veterans," Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said to the paper.

A freeze on all passport and visa applications as a result of the shutdown would also be a huge hit to New York's economy, with restaurants, hotels and tour companies seeing a decrease in business, the News reported.

The possible shutdown would also cause delays in the mailing of tax returns and a stop to Superfund site clean-up, the News reported.