TMZ Goes After Members of Congress Living It Up Amid DHS Shutdown

nytimes.com • March 31, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

TMZ published photos of members of Congress, including Senator Lindsey Graham and Representative Robert Garcia, during the 41st day of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, highlighting their leisure activities as federal workers remained unpaid.
The images showed lawmakers at locations such as Disney World and Las Vegas, as well as rushing through airports, suggesting they were avoiding their responsibilities to fund the government.
TMZ founder Harvey Levin encouraged the public to submit more photos of lawmakers on vacation or away from their duties, aiming to reflect public frustration over the prolonged shutdown.
The campaign sought to emphasize the contrast between congressional actions and the hardships faced by federal employees during the funding impasse.