House Majority Leader Scalise spotted ‘living it up’ on beach as shutdown drags on report

ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, has been put under the spotlight for allegedly going on holiday with his family in Alabama despite the government shutdown, which has left many employees without paychecks.

Pictures obtained by TMZ show Scalise around Orange Beach at the Floribama border amid the current congressional break.

The photos quickly attracted backlash, with critics accusing lawmakers of leaving the capital during the budget crisis instead of working to resolve the stalemate.

Scalise spotted on beach during government shutdown

Louisiana Republican Scalise, second only to Speaker Mike Johnson in rank in the House of Representatives, was seen in Orange Beach during this congressional recess.

Scalise was pictured walking out of a seafood store, carrying a bag of food, accompanied by two-person security and a driver, according to TMZ reports.

Among Congress members caught out of the Capitol due to the shutdown, Scalise is one of many reported to have fled to Orange Beach during this recess without funding the government.

The outlet described the MAGA lawmaker as “living it up on the Floribama shore” during what it called a two-week break from Washington, DC.

Scalise spokesperson blames Democrats for shutdown

In response to questions about Scalise’s trip, a spokesperson declined to address the vacation directly, instead blaming Democrats.

“While Democrats forced another record-breaking government shutdown, House Republicans voted four times to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security,” the spokesperson said, adding, “Despite Democrats’ refusal to fully fund the department because they want open borders at the expense of the American people, Republicans have found a way around them to fully fund DHS when Congress returns.”

Other lawmakers reportedly traveling amid shutdown

Other lawmakers reportedly traveling during the shutdown include Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Rep John James (R-MI), according to the report.

However, Scalise is not the only lawmaker absent from the capital amid these financial difficulties. The sight of lawmakers on vacation while federal employees go unpaid has sparked controversy.

As the shutdown continues, pressure is mounting on both parties to reach an agreement and restore full government operations.