Beach Blanket Scandal: Congressman Steve Scalise Goes AWOL During Shutdown

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has found himself amid a political storm, but he seems to prefer the sun and sand. While the government is grappling with a shutdown, Scalise decided two weeks of beach vacation on Alabama’s Floribama shore sounded like a stellar idea. Spotted leaving a seafood market with takeout, he was accompanied by a security detail and chauffeur, enjoying the high life while many employees were left hanging.

His spokesperson insisted that House Republicans have been working diligently to fund departments, but their efforts feel a little distant for those facing the brunt of government inaction. Scalise’s luxurious getaway certainly raises eyebrows, especially as countless government workers scramble to make ends meet. It’s hard not to wonder if a politician’s beach break is the best way to connect with the realities of those impacted by the shutdown. Life’s a beach, but what about those left in the storm?