President Trump said Thursday he would "soon sign an order" to pay all Department of Homeland Security employees.
Why it matters: The president's announcement marks the second time in a week he's moved to circumvent Congress to pay federal workers amid the record-long DHS shutdown.
- "I will soon sign an order to pay ALL of the incredible employees at the Department of Homeland Security," Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday.
- He added: "Help is on the way for our Brave and Patriotic Public Servants who have continued to work hard, and do their part to protect and defend our Country."
- Trump's announcement comes a day after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced a plan to end the shutdown.
Zoom out: Trump's move to bypass Congress and pay all DHS workers by fiat comes a week after he announced he would sign a similar order to restore pay for TSA workers.
- The administration's attempts to keep parts of the government open without congressional approval could run afoul of the Antideficiency Act.
- The 150-year-old law bars spending without appropriations and underscores Congress' constitutional control of the purse.
State of play: The Senate earlier Thursday sent its plan to fund DHS — excluding ICE and CBP — back to the House for consideration.
- Even with Johnson now on board, arm-twisting still could be needed to get the measure through the House.
- Johnson had previously opposed the plan amid opposition from hardliners in his conference, calling it a "joke."
- The speaker hasn't said whether he will call lawmakers back to Washington from a two-week recess that began Monday.
