While thousands of federal employees anxiously await their delayed paychecks, Michigan Representative John James has opted for some tropical rest and relaxation.
The congressman was spotted in Turks & Caicos this Wednesday enjoying a family getaway amid the ongoing government shutdown. A photograph of the vacation, which first surfaced via the Michigan grassroots organization Distill Social, shows James sharing a meal with his wife, Elizabeth, far removed from the legislative gridlock of Washington, D.C.
James's Caribbean escape coincides with a two-week congressional recess. The break comes at a highly contentious time, as the government remains partially shuttered due to fierce debates over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Naturally, the optics of lawmakers enjoying island breezes while federal workers face mounting financial uncertainty have sparked widespread public scrutiny.
However, in a move of solidarity with furloughed and unpaid workers, James is not collecting his government salary while lounging on the beach. The Michigan representative is among the select lawmakers who formally requested that the House withhold their own paychecks for the duration of the government shutdown.
James is also far from the only politician catching heat for taking a leisure trip while the government stalls. A slew of recent sightings has exposed lawmakers enjoying their recess to the fullest: Senator Lindsey Graham was spotted riding rollercoasters at Disney World, Representative Robert Garcia was seen hitting the town in Las Vegas, and a bipartisan group of 30 Congress members even embarked on a taxpayer-funded excursion to Scotland.
As public frustration grows over the Homeland Security funding standoff, vacationing politicians may soon be forced to trade their resort wear for business suits and head back to the Capitol.