Republican Senators to go Ahead With Luxury Golf Resort Fundraiser During Govt. Shutdown

AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib

Republican lawmakers are reportedly split on the decision to attend a fundraiser at a luxury golf resort amid the contentious government shutdown.

The shutdown went into effect earlier this week after Congress failed to pass a new spending bill. Though Republicans control the House and the Senate, they’ve pointed the blame at the Democratic Party and accused it of wanting to spend money to provide healthcare to illegal immigrants. Democrats, on the other hand, have argued that the new bill will slash health coverage for U.S. citizens.

At the time of writing, the shutdown was expected to last until at least until Monday.

In the meantime, Republican senators must decide if they want to attend the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s (NRSC) fundraiser at the Sea Island Resort in Georgia. Some Republicans, however, are greatly concerned about the optics of fundraising while countless Americans are worried about the threat of mass firings. A report from The Hill continued:

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who is locked in a standoff with Democratic leaders over reopening government, however, is not thrilled with the prospect of Republican senators mingling with donors at a high-end resort while thousands of federal workers have been furloughed and may miss their next paychecks, according to the source.

[Speaker Mike Johnson] shares Thune’s concern and told his Republican colleagues earlier this week not to hold fundraisers during the shutdown. He doesn’t want Democrats to use such events as political ammo, feeling that Republicans now have the high ground in the standoff.

According to the report, rooms at the resort range from $495 per night to $599. It also features three golf courses and a beach.

Not all Republicans encouraged their colleagues to skip the event, though. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) — who happens to be the NRSC chair — reportedly urged others to attend due to the fact that the retreat was contracted years in advance.