TMZ published a series of images showing members of Congress traveling and vacationing as the funding block affecting the Department of Homeland Security stretched into its sixth week.
The New York Times reported that the tabloid released photos of lawmakers leaving Washington for spring recess, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who was photographed at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Images showed Graham holding a bubble wand, waiting in line for attractions, and visiting restaurants inside the park, drawing attention as lawmakers departed without resolving the funding dispute.
In a statement published by TMZ, Graham said the visit followed meetings in Washington and defended his record on the funding issue.
"I voted seven times to fully fund the government. Call a Democrat," Graham said, adding that the stop in Florida was to "meet friends."
The outlet also published photos of Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., at a Las Vegas resort, along with images of other lawmakers traveling through airports or boarding flights.
Garcia responded on social media, saying he had been visiting his father in Las Vegas and blaming House leadership for the congressional recess.
"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," Garcia wrote.
He added, "Speaker Mike Johnson should have never sent us all home."
Additional images published by TMZ showed lawmakers from both parties, including Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., traveling during the recess period.
TMZ founder Harvey Levin encouraged the public to submit photos of lawmakers away from Washington, framing the effort as a response to frustration over the funding impasse.
"Maybe they're on a cruise somewhere, or in Hawaii or some other great place. We want those pictures," Levin said in a video.
The outlet's campaign is part of an effort to expand its political coverage, placing cameras in Washington locations such as airports and the Capitol to capture lawmakers outside official settings.
The images were presented alongside criticism that lawmakers left Washington without resolving the funding issue while federal workers faced financial uncertainty during the standoff.
Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
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