Live updates: US government on brink of shutdown after last-ditch Senate vote fails

Ana Faguy
Reporting from Capitol Hill

Image source, Getty Images

Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican who has occasionally voted with Democrats, tells reporters here at the Capitol that she’s worried about the impact of a potential shutdown on the country’s national parks.

Her state, Maine, is home to Acadia National Park, which could see its gates barricaded if the government shuts down. However, if the decision is made to leave the park open, the park could be damaged by unsupervised visitors, as many park rangers won’t be on duty..

Collins tells us that she’s been in contact with park authorities about what could happen next.

“Acadia National Park is at the peak of its visitor season because of the fall foliage,” she says.

It will not have the staff to handle all the visitors, Collins continues.

“That’s one of the consequences of this needless shutdown.”