(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Members of Congress may not see eye to eye on much, but one thing drew bipartisan consensus: a two-week recess amid a Democrat-led DHS shutdown.
Democrat and Republican lawmakers alike faced backlash after leaving Washington, D.C., this weekend for a 14-day break tied to the Passover and Easter holidays, even as half of all DHS workers went unpaid.
The backlash came as Democrats continued refusing to fund DHS unless ICE is handicapped, fueling a shutdown now in its 44th day.
Among those drawing the most attention were Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., who was spotted at a Las Vegas casino, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who appeared at Disney World.
Other lawmakers also drew scrutiny, with Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., seen being escorted through airport security and Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., seen seated on flights
Photos published by TMZ showed Garcia at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, standing near a bar with a friend.
Robert Garcia hits up a Las Vegas casino after Congress fails to reopen the government. 🎰 https://t.co/ZJqWZJpepO pic.twitter.com/AOulZoshgr
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 30, 2026
A bystander approached Garcia to ask if he was enjoying himself before being shooed away by two bodyguards.
According to TMZ, Garcia told the guards the photos did not bother him.
Garcia later took to X, claiming he was visiting his parents in Las Vegas: “Actually I don’t mind what tmz is doing here. Like the story says my dad has lived in Vegas for 15 years and I had just finished lunch with him. I try to see him whenever I can.”
He also tried to shift blame to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., saying he “should have never sent us all home.”
The recess, however, had been scheduled in advance.
Graham, for his part, defended his visit to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, calling it a business trip.
It remains unclear whether the recess will continue as President Trump has called on lawmakers to return to Washington and make a deal.
President Trump urged Senate Leader John Thune to cancel the Easter recess, keep lawmakers in Washington, and pass the SAVE America Act:
“Don’t worry about Easter! Make this one for Jesus, OK!? That’s what I tell them! That would be a damn good thing!” pic.twitter.com/rvlyoxXPDr
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 23, 2026
