WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – President Donald Trump is confirming tariff rebate checks will be sent out this year. However, it remains unclear if he can actually do that without Congressional approval.
Last July, President Trump said told Gray Media’s White House correspondent Jon Decker that the revenue generated by his tariffs policy would benefit taxpayers. That benefit would in the form of tariff rebate checks. On Wednesday, the President told John Decker those $2,000 checks do not need to be approved by Congress.
Jon Decker, White House CorrespondentL
Kevin Hassett has said that those $2,000 tariff rebate checks would be up to Congress to decide whether or not to disperse that. Do you agree with Kevin Hassett? Or do you think you can do that unilaterally?
President Donald Trump:
I don’t I don’t think we would have to go the Congress out. But, you know, we’ll find out. The reason we’re even talking about it is that we have so much money coming in from tariffs that we’ll be able to issue at least a $2,000 dividend and also pay down debt for the country. But we’d do a $2,000 dividend to the people of our country, would probably set a limit of, you know, income limit, where it made sense. But, we will be able to make a very substantial dividend to the people of our country. I believe we can do that without Congress.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett just last month said the checks will “depend on what happens with Congress” and that he expected the President to bring a formal proposal to Congress this year. In 2020, It was Congress that approved the stimulus checks that went out during the COVID-10 pandemic. Previously, Congress approved stimulus checks under the Obama administration following the 2008 financial crisis. Congress, and specifically the House of Representatives retains the power of the purse.
Several Republican Senators, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune , say they’re opposed to tariff rebate checks. The senators arguing that they would much rather see the tariff revenue go toward reducing the deficit. President Trump continues to insist tariffs are bringing in so much money, it can be spent in multiple ways. However, tariffs are generally paid by importers and the costs passed onto consumers.
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