Trump is paying TSA agents - but where is the money coming from?

Key Points:

• President Trump issued an executive order to pay TSA agents during the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, using funds from last year's tax and spending bill, bypassing Congress's constitutional power over federal spending.
• The administration is reportedly drawing from a $10 billion DHS fund intended for border security reimbursements, which experts say could cover TSA pay for about a year, though the legality of this move is disputed.
• Critics, including Democrats and budget policy experts, argue the funding strategy likely violates the Antideficiency Act, but no legal challenge is expected due to political sensitivities around TSA pay.
• TSA agents have received retroactive pay, easing airport security delays caused by the shutdown, but the DHS funding source and timeline remain uncertain as Congress remains deadlocked and on recess.
• Senate and House remain divided over DHS funding, particularly immigration enforcement, prolonging the shutdown; Trump has urged Republicans to use budget reconciliation to pass funding without Democratic support by June 1.