Congress on Vacation While Workers Wait

The long pause in government work has turned the Capitol into a vacation spot.

Some lawmakers flew to airports, hit up Las Vegas, or even visited Disney World while the country’s budget was stalled.
These trips have been filmed and shared on social media, drawing millions of views and sparking anger from people who see the government as a duty, not a leisure activity.

A popular gossip site that usually covers celebrities has joined the fray. Its editors claim they are exposing how politicians use breaks while ordinary workers face pay cuts and travel chaos. The site posted headlines like “Senator Graham relaxes at Disney during shutdown” and videos of lawmakers hiding from cameras in terminals.

The president has also stepped into the debate. He told Senate leaders that Congress should return to Washington, even hinting at using a rarely used power to force them back. White House aides say he has asked for the recess to be canceled “repeatedly,” and he promised a big dinner if lawmakers come back.

Yet the political situation is tangled.

• A Senate deal was reached to fund most of the homeland security agency but left out money for immigration enforcement.
• House Speaker Johnson rejected that agreement, and his own party passed a different version before the lawmakers left.

Some officials say calling Congress back would not change anything. A senator from Delaware said he was unsure the return would make a difference, given how far the dispute has gone. Others argue that returning to Washington is necessary because thousands of federal workers are unpaid and stranded.

Lawmakers claim the recess helps them stay connected with voters. They host town halls, meet constituents at home, and even travel abroad on official trips.

Still, critics point out that the pause shows a lack of respect for those who keep the country safe. The Senate’s 60‑vote rule makes it hard to pass a full funding bill for the security agency. Senate leaders plan to push a limited deal through with a simple majority, hoping to keep the agency running while working on a broader budget later.

The president has set a June deadline for Congress to act, but the House and Senate are still at odds.