DHS Workers UNPAID — Lawmakers Live It Up!

A large gathering of officials in a congressional chamber during a legislative session

While approximately 100,000 Department of Homeland Security workers face their 47th day without paychecks, at least 30 members of Congress were photographed touring Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle on what appears to be a taxpayer-funded trip, exposing a level of tone-deafness that should outrage every American struggling under Washington’s fiscal mismanagement.

Story Snapshot

Thirty Republican lawmakers from the House Main Street Caucus photographed at Edinburgh Castle during 47-day DHS shutdown
Trip pre-approved by House Ethics Committee months before shutdown, likely funded by taxpayers through official CODEL designation
Approximately 100,000 DHS and TSA workers going unpaid since February 14 due to congressional budget impasse
Lawmakers defend trip as official business for economic development and parliamentary meetings, critics call it “tone-deaf” sightseeing

Congressional Delegation Proceeds Despite Shutdown Optics

TMZ published photos Tuesday showing approximately 30 House Republicans, predominantly from the Main Street Caucus, touring Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. The lawmakers included Representatives Claudia Tenney of New York, Jason Smith of Missouri, Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, and Juan Ciscomani of Arizona, among others. The trip occurred during a partial government shutdown that has left Department of Homeland Security workers without pay for 47 days, marking the longest such shutdown in American history. The House Ethics Committee approved the congressional delegation months before the shutdown began on February 14.

Official Business or Taxpayer-Funded Tourism

Representative Van Orden’s spokesperson defended the trip, stating it “focuses on economic development, foreign partnerships, business engagement, and meetings with Parliament and other officials.” Van Orden himself reportedly expressed displeasure at media coverage interrupting what he described as a family health celebration following his wife’s surgery. The delegation format typically uses Department of Defense aircraft and taxpayer-funded per diems, though exact funding details remain unclear. Congressional delegations are routine for foreign engagement but rarely proceed during government shutdowns, when such non-essential travel typically faces cancellation to avoid public backlash.

Federal Workers Bear the Burden

The stark contrast between lawmakers abroad and unpaid federal workers struggling through seven weeks without income highlights a troubling double standard. TSA agents and DHS employees responsible for border security continue working without compensation while congressional representatives enjoy what appears to be official tourism. The partial shutdown affects approximately 100,000 workers whose families face mounting bills and economic uncertainty. Budget negotiations stalled in February when Congress failed to pass funding for DHS, yet lawmakers departed for recess rather than remaining in Washington to resolve the impasse. This scenario exemplifies the disconnect between Washington elites and working Americans.

Pattern of Privileged Travel During Crisis

TMZ’s coverage began with Senator Lindsey Graham photographed at Disney World and Fort Lauderdale airport during the same shutdown period, prompting a targeted hunt for “politicians on vacay.” The media outlet solicited photos from Capitol Hill sources, resulting in the Scotland delegation exposure. Congressional delegations historically cost taxpayers over $100,000 when accounting for military transport and expenses. The House Ethics Committee’s pre-approval provides legal cover, but timing raises serious questions about priorities. When federal workers sacrifice paychecks due to congressional failure, lawmakers enjoying castle tours funded by those same taxpayers demonstrates the kind of government overreach and elitism that frustrates Americans across the political spectrum.

The shutdown continues with no resolution announced, leaving DHS workers in financial limbo while their representatives cite pre-planned diplomacy. The episode may pressure future budget negotiations and travel approval processes, but for now it stands as another example of Washington operating under different rules than the citizens it serves. Americans watching their tax dollars fund castle tours while border security personnel work without pay have every right to demand accountability from representatives who claim to put America first.