Re-Open the Government to Protect National Parks and Local Economies

Washington D.C.— Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) issued the following statement from Jason Hayes, AFPI's Director of Energy and Environment, regarding the ongoing government shutdown:

“Hundreds of millions of people—Americans and international visitors—travel to our national parks each year. Visitor spending on parks, as well as hotels, restaurants, and local businesses, represented approximately $29 billion in support for local economies in 2024, helping to create more than 340,000 jobs. But the government shutdown is forcing park rangers and federal public land workers to delay or halt critical services. The ongoing closure could cost our national parks as much as $1 million in fee revenue daily. That loss threatens the economic lifeblood of nearby communities. As a former park ranger, I am hopeful that Congress will reopen the government so Americans can once again have access to our national parks, workers can be paid, and local economies can continue to thrive.”