Overview
- A White House official told Time the administration remains committed to putting tariff revenues to use for the public and is exploring options, but no detailed plan has been released.
- National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said the president expects to submit a formal proposal to Congress in 2026, and emphasized that any payments would require an appropriation.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled the relief could take forms other than checks, citing possible tax changes such as no tax on tips or overtime.
- Analyses from the Bipartisan Policy Center and other experts indicate the cost of $2,000 payments could exceed tariff receipts, even as a Tax Policy Center study finds low‑income households would see their tariff burden more than offset by such rebates.
- The Supreme Court is expected to rule this year on the legality of the administration’s tariff authority, a decision that could affect available revenues, while December’s separate $1,776 military “warrior dividend” was funded by the Pentagon and is not part of the rebate plan.