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GOP Leaders Keep Congress Out of Session Amid DHS Shutdown Pressure

Republican leaders in Congress are not recalling members from spring recess despite the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has left thousands of federal workers unpaid. Public scrutiny has increased after photos of lawmakers like Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Robert Garcia traveling during the crisis surfaced. Internal GOP pressure is mounting, with some members demanding an end to recess, while leadership blames the other chamber for the impasse. The House and Senate have passed conflicting funding bills, and President Trump has urged a return, but no agreement is in sight. The shutdown continues with no clear resolution, highlighting congressional dysfunction.

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GOP Leaders Keep Congress Out of Session Amid DHS Shutdown Pressure

Republican leaders are not planning to recall Congress from its spring recess early, even as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues and public pressure mounts over lawmakers' travel during the crisis.

Stalemate During Recess

  • Congress began its spring recess with no agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), leaving the agency shut down.
  • Thousands of federal employees, including Coast Guard civilian workers, are without pay.

Public Backlash Over Travel

  • Photos emerged of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) at Disney World and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) at a casino, sparking criticism on social media.
  • Graham met with a Trump official for Saudi-Israel talks before personal time; Garcia was visiting family in Las Vegas.
  • Both lawmakers defend their actions, but the imagery intensifies pressure on GOP leadership.
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Internal GOP Pressure

  • Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), whose district hosts the largest Coast Guard training center, openly criticized the shutdown and called for canceling recess.
  • He expressed frustration, noting fault on both sides and the impact on constituents.
  • A growing number of Republicans are echoing calls to return to Washington, but leadership resists.

House-Senate Divide

  • The Senate passed a bipartisan deal early Friday to reopen DHS without funding for border and immigration departments.
  • The House rejected this and passed a bill to fund the entire DHS, which has no chance in the Senate.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune blame each other, with no plan to reconcile differences.

Path Forward Unclear

  • President Trump is encouraging Congress to return, but GOP leaders require a deal with Democrats first.
  • Senate GOP aides state they won't return for a "show vote" without something to consider.
  • A pro forma Senate session Monday failed to advance the House bill, with Sen. John Hoeven citing Democratic opposition.
  • Van Drew proposed withholding congressional pay and back pay to incentivize budget agreements.
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