NY Paying to Keep Statue of Liberty Open

The State of New York is paying to keep the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island open during the partial government shutdown, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday.

"As we've done before when Washington's dysfunction has shut down the government, New York will step up and ensure the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island remain open for the world to look to for strength and hope during this tumultuous time," Cuomo said in a prepared statement.

Other national parks and monuments are closed during the shutdown that began at midnight Saturday.

The city and state lose money and tourists are disappointed when the landmarks close, which are factors in New York's decision to keep the symbols of democracy in New York Harbor open.

"While they’re being absurd in Washington, D.C., one of the great symbols of this nation, the Statue of Liberty, they can’t close it down," Cuomo told CNN.