Key facts
- Donald Trump said the US can afford his promise to send $5,000 to every U.S. adult if Republicans win control of Congress.
- Trump stated the US can handle the cost because "we're taking in so much money."
- House Speaker Mike Johnson said any such payment would need to be approved by Congress.
- Democratic politicians panned the idea, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling it not a "serious proposal."
- US Senator Mallory McMorrow cast doubt on whether the checks would be sent, citing past ACA subsidy cancellations.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States can afford his promise to send $5,000 to every U.S. adult should his Republican Party keep control of Congress in this year's elections. Trump told reporters that the payments are "easy" if Republicans win, adding that the country is "taking in so much money."
The proposal, first unveiled last week at the Republican Party convention, would require approval from Congress, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson. "Of course, the devil's in the details. We have to figure all that out," Johnson told CNN.
Democratic politicians criticized the plan on Sunday talk shows. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it not a "serious proposal," while US Senator Mallory McMorrow cited past ACA subsidy cancellations as a reason to doubt the $5,000 checks would materialize. "If you believe that you're going to get $5,000, I've got a bridge to sell you," McMorrow said on CNN.
US Representative Mike Lawler, in a closely contested race, expressed support for putting money back into Americans' pockets but focused on how to pay for it, citing the $4 trillion national debt. Lisa Gilbert of Public Citizen called the move a "desperate attempt to buy votes."