WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s plan to send $5,000 payments to American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress would require congressional approval, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday.
Trump unveiled the proposal last week during the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas, pitching what he called a “Trump Dividend” as part of the GOP’s economic message ahead of the November elections.
The president has suggested congressional authorization would not be necessary, but Johnson said otherwise.
“I commit that Congress will work through it and find consensus on that, like I have to do everything else,” Johnson said Sunday, when asked whether he would commit to carrying out Trump’s promise.
The plan could cost more than $1 trillion, depending on how eligibility is ultimately structured, at a time when the federal government is already running a deficit of nearly $1.8 trillion.
The administration has not yet released a detailed legislative proposal outlining who would qualify for the payments or exactly how they would be funded.
Trump has presented the idea as a way to allow Americans to share in what he describes as the country’s economic success.
The proposal is also becoming part of the Republican campaign to retain control of the House and Senate in November.
But Johnson’s comments make clear that winning the election would only be the first step.
“I never go out and give big commitments on the front end because I’ve got to work through it, and that’s what we do every single day,” he said.
Even if Republicans maintain their congressional majorities, lawmakers would still have to pass legislation authorizing the payments.
That could force Republicans to grapple with both the cost of the proposal and concerns about adding to the federal deficit.
For now, Trump is making the $5,000 payment a campaign promise.
Turning it into an actual check would require Congress.
