Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) says TMZ DC's aggressive push to expose lawmakers' vacation plans played a major role in the House's sudden reversal on a Department of Homeland Security funding bill. The bill, which appeared dead earlier in the day, passed after Speaker Mike Johnson gave Republicans the green light to vote.
Subramanyam told TMZ DC's Charlie Cotton that the outlet is "changing the way we do things in Washington." He specifically cited the call for constituents to send in photos of members of Congress on vacation while DHS remained unfunded — a tactic he says created urgency. "TMZ DC is a big reason why people wanted to get this done before they went home," Subramanyam said.
The bill now heads to President Trump, who has indicated he will sign it. The breakthrough came hours after TMZ DC's push for accountability.