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Republicans turn on their own over shutdown and call on Congress to cancel their spring break

Republican senators criticized Thune’s shutdown strategy and pressed him to bring lawmakers back to Washington.

Republicans turn on their own over shutdown and call on Congress to cancel their spring break
Image · The Independent

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Outlet credibilityThe Independent77/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 8, 2026
tl;dr

Republican lawmakers criticized their party’s handling of the DHS shutdown and urged leaders to bring Congress back from recess, while the House and Senate remained at odds over funding. The dispute increased pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson.

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VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
John Thune R · SD · SEN
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Thune in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Thune’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader facing criticism over the chamber’s handling of the shutdown

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

House speaker criticizing the Senate’s handling of DHS funding

Johnson's version of this story ↗
Tommy Tuberville
R · AL · SEN

Senator calling for the Senate to return from recess

Rick Scott
R · FL · SEN

Senator calling for the Senate to return and the filibuster to be changed

Lindsey Graham
Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)

Senator photographed at Disney World during the shutdown

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose administration announced a plan to redistribute funds for TSA paychecks

Robert Garcia
D · CA-42

Representative photographed at a Las Vegas casino during the shutdown

Steve Scalise
R · LA-1

House majority leader criticizing the Senate’s handling of DHS funding

Mike Lee
R · UT · SEN

Senator urging Thune to call lawmakers back and pursue the SAVE America Act

ALSO MENTIONED  Tom Homan, Trump administration border czar criticizing lawmakers’ recess

Part of a bigger story

5 OUTLETS
Calls Grow for Congress to Return During Partial Shutdown

A partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown continued while lawmakers were away on recess, prompting calls for Congress to return. Senate Majority Leader John Thune was involved in efforts to address the funding impasse and faced calls to bring lawmakers back. Center outlets frame the story around growing pressure to end the recess during the shutdown and describe the leaders’ funding approach. Right-leaning outlets more pointedly foreground Republican departures and criticism directed at Thune over the recess and funding impasse.

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