Home / Videos
Members of congress face backlash for international vacations during government shutdown
See how congressional representatives are spending their break while federal workers face unpaid leave
This report highlights the growing public outrage as members of Congress embark on high-profile vacations while the Department of Homeland Security remains unfunded. Photos have surfaced showing a delegation of 30 representatives touring Edinburgh Castle in Scotland on the taxpayer's dime. Closer to home, Senator Cory Booker was spotted at a luxury hotel in West Hollywood during what was intended to be a legislative work period.
The timing of these trips is particularly controversial as thousands of TSA, FEMA, and Coast Guard employees are still waiting for back pay. While there are rumors that the two-week spring break may be cut short due to the backlash, many citizens feel the executive branch is being forced to step in because Congress is not doing its job. In response to these events, TMZ has announced it will establish a full-time presence in Washington D.C. to better track the intersection of politics, accountability, and pop culture.
