Senators Defend Two-Week Recess Amid Record-Breaking Government Shutdown Crisis

US Senators defended a two-week recess amid a record-breaking government shutdown that has left thousands of Homeland Security employees without paychecks for seven weeks. The planned recess began on Thursday and is expected to last until late March. Lawmakers are struggling to reach a deal to end the shutdown, which has entered its 27th day. The prolonged stalemate has raised concerns about the impact on federal employees and the overall economy.