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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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California Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia has responded after photos circulated online showing him in Las Vegas during the ongoing federal government shutdown, prompting criticism over the optics as thousands of government workers remain without pay.
The images, first published by TMZ, show Garcia at a casino on Sunday as Congress remains deadlocked over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The shutdown has disrupted airport operations and left many federal employees working without pay.
Garcia addressed the backlash in a post on Threads, saying the visit was personal and unrelated to his official duties.
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"Actually I don’t mind what TMZ is doing here," Garcia wrote. "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. And like I said a few days ago, Speaker Mike Johnson should have never sent us all home."
Sara Guerrero, a spokesperson for Garcia, told Newsweek: "Rep. Garcia's family owns a home in Vegas, his father has been living there for over 15 years and he was visiting him. As he stated the day Speaker Johnson sent Congress home, it is crazy for Republicans to reject the deal on the table and send members home while the American people suffer.
"Republicans chose to continue this shutdown and Garcia is ready to get back to work the second Mike Johnson decides to do his job."
Why It Matters
The photos of Garcia have fueled criticism at a time when the partial DHS shutdown continues to affect front-line federal workers, particularly Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, who have reported missed paychecks, staffing shortages and growing strain at major airports.
Similar criticism has recently been directed at South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who faced backlash after images surfaced of him visiting Disney World during the shutdown, underscoring how quickly such moments can trigger bipartisan outrage online.
What To Know
TMZ reported that the photos of Garcia were taken after the outlet publicly encouraged members of the public to document lawmakers during the congressional recess following the collapse of a funding deal.
Garcia’s office has said he was visiting his father, who has lived in Las Vegas for more than a decade, and emphasized that the shutdown stems from legislative gridlock rather than individual members’ travel. Garcia has placed responsibility on Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, arguing that Congress should not have been sent home while funding talks remained unresolved.
Critics, including some social-media users and conservative commentators, argued that the images created poor optics amid a prolonged shutdown.
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Others defended the congressman, saying lawmakers are not required to remain in Washington during recess periods and noting that Garcia has publicly called for an end to the shutdown.
The DHS funding lapse has persisted for weeks after lawmakers failed to agree on a package addressing immigration enforcement, with TSA reporting increased absenteeism and resignations as financial pressure on workers mounts.
What Happens Next
Negotiations to reopen the government are ongoing, though no immediate resolution has been announced. House leaders remain divided over DHS funding and immigration policy, while pressure continues to grow from unions, business groups and travelers affected by airport delays.
Update, 03/31/26 07:51 a.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from a spokesperson for Garcia.
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