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"description": "The [New York Times reported][https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/us/politics/tmz-congress.html] that TMZ, the Hollywood-based celebrity tabloid best known for ambushing entertainers at airports and resorts, has trained its cameras on members of Congress vacationing during the ongoing forty-one-day DHS shutdown.\n\nTMZ founder Harvey Levin launched a public call for readers to submit photographs of lawmakers enjoying their scheduled spring recess while federal employees went without pay. The result",
"path": "/tmz-spotlights-candid-camera-at-congressional-vacationers/",
"publishedAt": "2026-03-31T20:20:50.000Z",
"site": "https://washingtonhorizon.com",
"tags": [
"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/us/politics/tmz-congress.html"
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"textContent": "The [_New York Times_ reported][https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/us/politics/tmz-congress.html] that TMZ, the Hollywood-based celebrity tabloid best known for ambushing entertainers at airports and resorts, has trained its cameras on members of Congress vacationing during the ongoing forty-one-day DHS shutdown.\n\nTMZ founder Harvey Levin launched a public call for readers to submit photographs of lawmakers enjoying their scheduled spring recess while federal employees went without pay. The results, the _Times_ noted, have been \"a rash of bipartisan shaming.\"\n\nThe photographic haul has been extensive. TMZ published an ongoing series documenting Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, at Walt Disney World, dining at Chef Mickey's, carrying a bubble wand at Magic Kingdom (on behalf of a child, his office said), and waiting in line for Space Mountain. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-CA, was photographed at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort; he said on social media he was visiting his father, who lives in Vegas, and echoed criticism of Speaker Mike Johnson for sending Congress home. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, was spotted at Fort Lauderdale airport. Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-RI, drew scrutiny for plans to host a watch party for the inaugural season of _The Real Housewives of Rhode Island_.\n\nLevin, in a video statement, issued a sweeping rebuke of both parties. \"It outraged us so much we wanted to use our platforms to show how Congress—Dems AND Republicans—have betrayed us.,\" he said.\n\nThe _Times_ noted that TMZ has expanded its Washington presence in recent years, stationing a producer and photographer at the Capitol and area airports.",
"title": "TMZ spotlights candid camera at congressional vacationers",
"updatedAt": "2026-03-31T20:26:00.362Z"
}