100,000 Workers Starve — Congress Tours CASTLES

While DHS workers endure 47 days without pay amid the longest shutdown in history, 30 Republican lawmakers tour Edinburgh Castle in Scotland on a pre-approved trip likely funded by taxpayers.

Story Snapshot

Approximately 30 House Republicans from the Main Street Caucus visited Scotland during the partial DHS shutdown affecting 100,000 unpaid workers.
TMZ photos captured the group at Edinburgh Castle, sparking outrage over hypocrisy and taxpayer expense.
Trip approved months earlier by House Ethics Committee as official delegation for economic partnerships, not vacation.
Shutdown stems from February 14 budget impasse; Congress in recess, prolonging crisis into mid-April.
Public frustration grows as TSA and border agents suffer while lawmakers travel abroad.

Shutdown Hits Record Length

The partial government shutdown targeting the Department of Homeland Security began February 14 after Congress failed to pass a budget. By Tuesday, it reached 47 days, surpassing all prior records. Around 100,000 DHS and TSA employees reported to work without paychecks, facing furloughs and economic hardship. Border security operations continued minimally, but airport delays mounted as over 500 TSA agents quit. Lawmakers entered a two-week Easter recess, delaying any resolution until mid-April.

Lawmakers Spotted Abroad

TMZ published photos Tuesday showing roughly 30 U.S. House members, primarily from the GOP Main Street Caucus, touring Edinburgh Castle. Identified Republicans included Reps. Claudia Tenney (NY), Jason Smith (MO), Derrick Van Orden (WI), John McGuire (VA), David Rouzer (NC), Juan Ciscomani (AZ), Mike Flood (NE), Andrew Garbarino (NY), Mike Lawler (NY), Greg Murphy (NC), and Bill Huizenga (MI). The group appeared relaxed amid Scotland’s tourist sites during congressional recess.

Semafor confirmed the outing Wednesday, noting several dozen participants. The trip, organized by moderate conservatives in the Main Street Caucus, focused on economic development, foreign partnerships, business engagement, and parliamentary meetings. House Ethics Committee greenlit it months prior, classifying it as an official Congressional Delegation or CODEL.

Defenses Amid Backlash

Spokespeople for the lawmakers defended the journey as pre-planned diplomacy essential for U.S. interests. Derrick Van Orden’s office stated the trip centered on meetings with Parliament officials and economic talks, approved long before the shutdown escalated. Van Orden added a personal note, celebrating his wife’s health recovery post-surgery, calling media interruption unwelcome. No evidence emerged of trip cancellation despite the crisis.

Capitol Hill sources told TMZ and Semafor that CODELs typically use taxpayer funds through DoD aircraft or per diems, though such travel rarely proceeds during shutdowns. Exact funding remains unclear but likely public given official status. Historical precedents show cancellations common, heightening optics concerns.

Taxpayer Frustrations Mount

Unpaid DHS workers sold plasma and relied on food banks while lawmakers jetted overseas, fueling widespread anger. Taxpayers questioned costs, estimated at $100,000 or more for routine CODELs. The contrast amplified distrust in Congress, especially as House Republicans rejected a Senate funding plan, opting for a temporary resolution that stalled. Political divides deepened, with “MAGA” labels intensifying scrutiny on GOP members.

Short-term fallout includes ethics reviews for crisis-era travel. Long-term, expect tighter approvals and media vigilance during recesses. This incident underscores fiscal irresponsibility, eroding public faith in representatives who prioritize foreign jaunts over domestic duties. Conservative voters demand accountability to restore trust in limited government principles.