Government Shutdown Looms

Hundreds of thousands of Federal workers will be furloughed if the government can't come up with a budget deal to fund the government through the end of September. Government officials say all federal essential and nonessential employees would go without pay during a furlough unless Congress approves funding to pay them after a shutdown ends.

Smithsonian museums could close their doors as soon as this Saturday -- a time when millions of visitors hit the Mall for the Cherry Blossom Festival. The shutdown could affect the festival's parade because the National Park Service usually provides police service.

"We are trying every avenue available to make sure the parade goes on, and we're optimistic that it will happen, but it's really too early to tell, based on what the government does," says Danielle Piacente, spokesperson for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Other events for the festival will go on April 8 and 9, regardless of whether there's a shutdown.

Lawmakers have until Friday at midnight to come to an agreement on the spending cuts.