Democrat Rep Bellies Up To Las Vegas Bar While Thousands Of TSA Agents Go Unpaid

Democratic California Rep. Robert Garcia was photographed in Las Vegas enjoying drinks at a high-end casino during the government shutdown, TMZ reported Monday.

Senate Democrats filibustered funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) demanding restrictions on immigration enforcement operations, which has resulted in a partial shutdown of the department, with hundreds of Transportation Security Agency (TSA) employees either calling out of work or resigning, causing long lines at airports across the country. Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, was photographed bellying up to the bar of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a hotel on the famous Las Vegas strip with rooms that cost $356 a night, according to TMZ.

Garcia reportedly did not object to the photo being taken at the casino, waving away security guards who approached after he was confronted by a person who took the photos the gossip site posted, TMZ reported. In a post on X, Garcia attempted to blame House Speaker Mike Johnson for being at the hotel, where he claimed to have had lunch with his father.

“Actually I don’t mind what TMZ is doing here. Like the story says my dad has lived in Vegas for 15 years and I had just finished lunch with him,” Garcia posted. “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.”