The campaign arm of Senate Democrats appeared to move forward with a scheduled fundraising retreat on Monday and Tuesday in California wine country despite the government shutdown.
The timing of the Napa Valley event made for poor optics and an easy target for Republicans, who have blamed the shutdown on congressional Democrats for opposing a “clean” short-term funding bill during a broader dispute over expiring Obamacare subsidies.
Monday marked the 13th day of the shutdown with still no end in sight.
“Calling Congressional Dems ‘out of touch’ gives them too much credit,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) posted about the retreat. “This is who they are and their actions have intent behind them. Believe them.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy contrasted the luxury fundraising retreat, which includes a wine tour and dinner, at Hotel Yountville with the air traffic controllers working without pay during the shutdown.
“Where are our air traffic controllers? WORKING WITHOUT PAY to keep our airspace safe,” Duffy posted. “End the shutdown and get the American people their paychecks!”
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) whacked Senate Democrats for jetting off to the West Coast as a nor’easter hits the Northeast and after voting eight times “to keep @FEMA & the federal government SHUT DOWN.” The forecast in Napa Valley is calling for rain on both days of the retreat.
CAMPAIGNS FORGE AHEAD WITH SWANKY FUNDRAISERS DESPITE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee did not respond to a request for comment. However, it appeared the retreat would still happen and be hosted by the committee’s chairwoman, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who told the Washington Examiner earlier this month that she would reevaluate if the shutdown dragged on. A spokesperson for Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), who was listed on the retreat’s invite list, confirmed on Monday that the senator would not attend.
Senate Republicans have also had their fair share of glitzy fundraisers despite the shutdown, including one at the five-star Sea Island Resort in Georgia earlier this month and another over the weekend in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.