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House to park service: Open Liberty's crown

House lawmakers want to re-open the crown of the Statue of Liberty.
The U.S. Park Service closed down the crown of the Statue of Liberty following the 9/11 attacks, but now Congress would like to see it reopened to tourists.
The U.S. Park Service closed down the crown of the Statue of Liberty following the 9/11 attacks, but now Congress would like to see it reopened to tourists.Susan Ragan / AP file
/ Source: The Associated Press

House lawmakers want to re-open the crown of the Statue of Liberty.

It's been closed to tourists since Nine-Eleven.

For the second year in a row, Congressman Anthony Weiner of New York has added an amendment to a spending bill that would give the National Park Service one (m) million dollars to study the safety aspects of re-opening the staircase to the statue's crown. The House OK'd the amendment Tuesday on a voice vote.

The park service claims the 168-step, spiral metal staircase is a fire hazard and a terror risk.

Right now, tourists are allowed only as far as the pedestal at Lady Liberty's feet.

The torch has been closed to visitors since 1916.