As the Smokies is about to enter one of its busiest times of the year, the federal government is on the verge of a shutdown.

A stopgap funding bill was stalled Tuesday as Democrats demanded money to help Flint, Michigan address its lead-contaminated water crisis. Republicans want to address the Flint water crisis after the election.

If a bill is not passed, the shutdown will go into effect at midnight Friday..

Dana Soehn with the National Park Service told Local 8 News that it’s unclear at this point if the shutdown would affect the Smokies.

During the shutdown in 2013, the Great Smoky Mountains National park did close. The facilities inside the park were closed, but Newfound Gap Road and The Spur stayed open for traffic.