Overview
- Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, the president said he believes he can send $2,000 tariff-funded checks without a new law, floated a “reasonable” income cap, and cited last year’s $289 billion in tariff receipts while also pledging to pay down federal debt.
- The assertion conflicts with prior statements from National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, who said the plan would go to Congress, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has said legislation is needed.
- No bill authorizing such payments has been introduced, leaving eligibility rules, timing, and delivery mechanisms unresolved after the president recently pointed to “toward the end of the year” for potential timing.
- Independent analyses estimate the payouts could cost roughly $280 billion to more than $600 billion, raising the prospect that expenses would exceed available tariff revenue; budget watchdogs say the math does not add up.
- An expedited Supreme Court case challenging the administration’s tariff authority is pending, with a ruling expected before June that could determine whether the revenue underpinning the proposed checks remains available.