WASHINGTON — Pressure is mounting on Congress to return from recess and address a partial government shutdown that has stretched to a record 45 days, with some federal workers going without pay and travel disruptions continuing.

Celebrity gossip outlet TMZ has launched an unusual campaign tracking lawmakers during their scheduled break, posting videos and photos of senators and representatives at airports, Las Vegas, and Disney World. The images have generated millions of views and public criticism of Congress. TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin said the effort began after interviewing a TSA worker struggling due to missed paychecks during the shutdown.

President Donald Trump has also called for lawmakers to return, speaking with Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Sunday and Monday about canceling the recess. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump has "repeatedly" urged leadership to bring Congress back, even offering to host an Easter dinner at the White House if they return.

The shutdown stems from a dispute over Department of Homeland Security funding. The Senate reached a bipartisan deal last week to fund most of DHS while excluding money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected that agreement and instead passed a Republican-only bill extending DHS funding before Congress left for recess.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware expressed skepticism about returning, saying he was "not sure that there would be any difference from what's happened so far." Johnson told Fox News the House could return "on a moment's notice" but said "the Senate has to do their job."

Senate Majority Leader Thune faces pressure to eliminate the filibuster to pass funding legislation, but several Republican senators have indicated they would not support changing Senate rules. The impasse has left tens of thousands of federal workers without pay while lawmakers remain on their regularly scheduled recess.