Ted Cruz Under Fire: Travel During DHS Shutdown Sparks 'Vacation' Criticism

Sen. Ted Cruz was recently seen at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, raising questions about his travel activities amid the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. The situation is compounded by escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, where nearly 3,400 workers have not reported for duty since Sunday, after going weeks without pay due to the partial shutdown that began Feb. 14.

According to an April 1, 2026, report by William Vaillancourt, Cruz was spotted waiting to board a United Airlines flight from Florida, accompanied by several police officers and a security guard. The reason for his visit remains undisclosed, though he has reportedly been traveling frequently in recent weeks.

Cruz has reportedly traveled from Washington, D.C., to Houston and then Dallas, where he attended the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) before arriving in Florida. Florida, known as the 'Sunshine State,' is a popular spring break destination for its accessible beaches, theme parks, and recreational activities.

Cruz reportedly left Washington, D.C., shortly after the Senate voted to end the government shutdown. However, uncertainty remains, as the House of Representatives appears unlikely to approve the Senate’s proposal, raising the possibility that Cruz may need to return sooner than expected.

Cruz's travel has drawn backlash due to past controversies, including a 2021 trip to Cancun during a severe winter crisis in Texas and a 2025 visit to the Parthenon in Athens with his wife, Heidi, during floods that killed more than 135 people. The controversy is heightened given that the government shutdown, stemming from a funding dispute centered on disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over immigration enforcement and oversight, has disrupted government operations.

Although about 260,000 DHS employees have received back pay following a directive from Donald Trump, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff are struggling to make ends meet and report for duty.

According to TMZ, Senate Majority Leader John Thune was also seen leaving the capital, boarding a flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Friday morning with an escort. His trip came as a surprise due to growing doubts about whether the House will support the Senate’s effort to reopen the government.

Similarly, Sen. Lindsey Graham was in Florida the previous weekend, visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando. According to The Daily Beast, he rode the Space Mountain roller coaster, enjoyed a meal at Chef Mickey’s, and took photos.

Workers face serious financial strain as the federal government undergoes its second DHS shutdown in six months. Jill DeJanovich, a TSA officer at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, is one of the many employees who have not been paid for months. She told NewsNation that she feels discouraged and struggles to report to work as she tries to cover daily expenses without a steady income.

TSA union Rep. Tatiana Finlay calls out unpaid workers struggling to get to work: 'It’s unacceptable we’re showing up with no pay… they can’t afford gas or childcare to even make it in.' DeJanovich added, 'We feel like no one’s paying attention to what we’re going through,' and that she had to miss work early in the shutdown because she could not afford gas. 'We cannot afford to keep coming to work with no money,' she added, admitting that if things do not resolve soon, she will look for better opportunities.