The government shutdown is officially in effect, yet Senate Democrats are quietly organizing a taxpayer-funded luxury retreat to California’s wine country. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has planned a two-day event at Hotel Yountville in Napa Valley from October 13-14, coinciding with the second week of a potential shutdown. Attendees include Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and Rep. Haley Stevens, among others. The retreat will feature wine tours, spa access, and fine dining at a resort described as offering “luxurious accommodations” and a “Tuscan-European vibe.” Critics question the timing, noting lawmakers continue to receive pay during shutdowns while taxpayers fund the excursion. Senate Leader John Thune suggested the trip also serves as a fundraiser for “rich, sort of left-wing billionaires,” further fueling backlash.
