Trending Now - Congress Members Vacation in Scotland While Government Stalls

WHO:

TMZ - 30 members of Congress are on an overseas trip.

The Daily Beast - Virginia Rep. John McGuire, Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden, North Carolina Rep. David Rouzer, Reps. Juan Ciscomani of Arizona, Mike Flood of Nebraska, and New York representatives Andrew Garbarino and Mike Lawler are part of the group.

The Daily Beast - House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected a bipartisan funding deal.

WHAT:

TMZ - The trip is being paid for by taxpayers during a government shutdown.

The Daily Beast - The government shutdown has lasted for 47 days as of March 31st, 2026.

The Daily Beast - The partial shutdown became the longest in history on March 26th, 2026, surpassing 44 days.

The Daily Beast - The trip was approved by the Ethics Committee months ago and is focused on economic development, foreign partnerships, and business engagement.

TMZ - Van Orden expressed displeasure at the interruption of his trip.

WHERE:

TMZ - The congressmen are in Scotland, specifically outside Edinburgh Castle.

The Daily Beast - The trip involves sightseeing at a famous castle in Scotland.

WHEN:

The Daily Beast - The government shutdown began on February 13th, 2026.

The Daily Beast - The trip was reported on March 31st, 2026.

WHY:

The Daily Beast - The trip is focused on economic development, foreign partnerships, and business engagement.

HOW:

The Daily Beast - The trip may have been funded using taxpayer money, possibly involving Department of Defense aircraft.

(UPDATED April 1, 2026 21:12 UTC)

Thirty members of Congress are currently on an overseas trip to Scotland, specifically outside Edinburgh Castle, despite a government shutdown that has now lasted for 47 days. This trip, which is being funded by taxpayers, was approved by the Ethics Committee months ago and focuses on economic development, foreign partnerships, and business engagement. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently rejected a bipartisan funding deal, while Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden expressed his displeasure at the interruption of his trip.