The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is organizing a two-day retreat in Napa Valley, California, scheduled for Oct. 13–14, according to an invitation obtained by Politico’s Playbook.
The event is set to take place at Hotel Yountville, a five-star resort in the heart of wine country, even as the federal government faces the possibility of a shutdown.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) has circulated an invitation obtained by Playbook for a “Napa Retreat” for the DSCC on Oct. 13 and 14. Should the government shut down next week, the retreat could fall on what might be day 12 of a shutdown. @playbookdc
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) September 27, 2025
The circulated invitation lists Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, who has chaired the DSCC since January, along with Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and other unnamed members of the Democratic Caucus as attendees.
Politico reported that Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan, who is running in a contested 2026 primary for the state’s open Senate seat, is also expected to attend.
I was wracking my brain for the most humiliating way for Democrats to lose the shutdown fight thank God Kirsten Gillibrand and Haley Stevens are on it. pic.twitter.com/CJ5r40E6jH
— Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) September 27, 2025
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The Michigan race has drawn significant attention, with Stevens facing Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed in the Democratic primary.
The DSCC has not endorsed any candidate in the race. An anonymous Democrat briefed on the retreat confirmed Stevens’s planned appearance.
The timing of the event coincides with a potential government shutdown.
Unless Congress passes legislation to fund the government by Sept. 30, operations will be disrupted.
At a time when the Trump tariffs and inflation are crushing hardworking people, President Trump and the MAGA Congress are about to shut down the government because they refuse to make health care more affordable for millions of working Americans.
We can’t afford this President…
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) September 26, 2025
Several Democratic senators have threatened in recent months to allow a shutdown rather than support President Donald Trump’s budget measures.
According to the invitation, most of the retreat will be held at Hotel Yountville, with exceptions including an Oct. 13 wine tour and dinner at the Staglin Family Vineyards.
The winery is a certified organic operation.
Hotel Yountville’s website promotes the resort as a “vineyard estate-inspired retreat” with a Tuscan-European style.
It advertises oversized sunken tubs, private fireplaces, spa amenities, and fine dining at the Heritage Oak Café.
“Hotel Yountville offers more than a Wine Country trip—it’s the luxury escape you didn’t know you needed…until now,” the site states.
The Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) reported that it asked the DSCC to clarify the retreat’s objectives, costs, and attendance requirements, as well as whether the gathering would continue if a shutdown occurs.
The committee did not respond to the questions.
The event has already become an issue in Michigan’s Senate race.
Alyssa Brouillet, spokesperson for Trump-endorsed Republican candidate Mike Rogers, criticized Stevens’s participation.
“Not only is Haley Stevens threatening to freeze paychecks for tens of thousands of Michiganders in order to give illegal aliens taxpayer-funded healthcare — she’s running off to wine and dine in California while they pay the price,” Brouillet told the DCNF.
“This is a complete slap in the face to working Michigan families.”
Military veterans’ paychecks at risk.
Senate Democrats’ Napa wine retreat: fully booked. Guess we know their priorities. #ShutdownPolitics #OutOfTouch #Hypocrisy pic.twitter.com/3hktmwQBVz— Lisa McClain (@LisaForCongress) September 27, 2025
Stevens faced additional scrutiny earlier this month after she falsely claimed on X that her campaign had received the endorsement of Berrien County Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford.
finally deleted lol pic.twitter.com/2t2zBRhB79
— umichvoter 🏳️🌈 (@umichvoter) September 2, 2025
Within a week, Pitchford endorsed McMorrow instead.
McMorrow has positioned herself as a critic of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, becoming one of the earliest Democratic Senate candidates for 2026 to publicly call for him to step down as caucus leader.
El-Sayed, another candidate in the Michigan race, has secured the endorsement of Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
The DSCC has not announced whether the Napa retreat will move forward if the shutdown begins, leaving open questions about the optics of Democratic senators and candidates gathering at a luxury venue during a federal funding impasse.
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