Smithsonian Institution closes museums in Washington amid government shutdown

The Smithsonian Institution has temporarily closed its museums in Washington DC amid the US government shutdown. The Smithsonian had used prior-year funds to remain open since the shutdown began on October 1. But it decided to temporarily close the museums from Sunday, as the shutdown drags on.

The institution operates more than 20 museums and a zoo in Washington and elsewhere. It is more than 60 percent federally funded.