January 1, OUTRAGEOUS: See How Many Vacations Congress Took While America Suffered

Wyatt’s Take

• Congress took 19 separate recesses last year, totaling 164 days off — nearly half the year on taxpayer dime while working families struggled
• These career politicians vacationed through government shutdowns, border crises, and economic disasters while millions of Americans couldn’t afford a single day off
• Both parties are guilty of this scam, proving the Washington swamp cares more about country club breaks than kitchen table problems

While hardworking Americans clocked in every day, struggling to make ends meet, Congress decided to take nearly half the year off. That’s right — your elected representatives took 19 separate vacations last year, totaling a jaw-dropping 164 days away from Washington.

These aren’t emergency breaks or unforeseen circumstances. These are scheduled, planned vacations that both parties agreed to while the country faced crisis after crisis.

2026 is right around the corner. pic.twitter.com/yBRCDbvzu4

— Ryan Wrasse (@RWrasse) November 19, 2025

Think about that the next time you’re scraping by to pay your bills. While you’re working overtime just to keep the lights on, the people who are supposed to be representing you are lounging on beaches and attending fancy fundraisers.

The most infuriating part? Congress gave themselves these breaks during the longest government shutdown in American history. Federal workers went without paychecks while lawmakers jetted off to their home districts for “constituent meetings” — which really means campaign fundraisers and photo ops.

The data shows a clear pattern of prioritizing personal time over national duty. These recesses aren’t just a day or two here and there. We’re talking about weeks at a time, multiple times throughout the year.

During these extended absences, critical legislation sat stalled. Border security remained unfunded. Veterans waited for promised benefits. Small businesses struggled with uncertainty.

But Congress? They were on vacation.

Both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of perpetuating this corrupt system. The swamp protects its own, regardless of party affiliation. When it comes to giving themselves time off, suddenly there’s bipartisan cooperation.

The American people work an average of 260 days per year. Congress worked barely half that. Yet they receive full salaries, lifetime benefits, and insider trading privileges that would land any regular citizen in prison.

These are the same people who lecture working families about sacrifice and responsibility. The same politicians who claim they’re fighting for the middle class while taking more vacation days than most Americans get in five years combined.

The disconnect between Washington and Main Street has never been more obvious. While families skipped vacations because they couldn’t afford them, Congress scheduled another recess.

This isn’t about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about the entire political class versus the American people. It’s about a system so broken that elected officials can take half the year off while their constituents can barely take a long weekend.

Why It Matters

This is exactly why working Americans have lost faith in Washington. When the folks we send to represent us spend more time on vacation than actually doing their jobs, the system isn’t broken — it’s rigged. Real Americans don’t get 164 days off a year. They get up, go to work, and do what needs doing. Maybe it’s time Congress tried that for a change.