Trump’s $2,000 Tariff Checks Face Resistance From Republican Lawmakers

Himasha Dissanayake, JadeTimes Staff

H. Dissanayake is a Jadetimes news reporter covering USA & Economy

---

Source: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

President Donald Trump is pushing to send $2,000 “tariff rebate” checks to Americans by mid-2026, but even his closest allies in Congress aren’t fully on board. While the plan is intended to return tariff revenue to citizens, many Republican lawmakers argue that any new income should be used to reduce the national debt rather than fund cash payments.

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin noted that the country is facing a nearly $2 trillion deficit, saying revenue should go toward “bringing down those deficits.” Similar sentiments were echoed by Sen. Rick Scott, who emphasized prioritizing the $38 trillion national debt over direct payments. Others, including Rep. Andy Biggs, suggested lowering tax rates instead of sending rebate checks.

Despite growing criticism, Trump has increasingly promoted the idea, specifying a rollout date and amount after months of hinting at rebates. The push has gained support from at least one Republican lawmaker, Sen. Josh Hawley, who championed a tariff rebate bill earlier this year and called the proposal a “terrific way to give relief to working people.”

Still, concerns extend beyond politics. Fiscal analysts warn there may not be enough tariff revenue to fund the plan. A study by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated the proposal could cost about $600 billion—far exceeding the expected $300 billion in annual tariff revenue. Economists also caution the checks could trigger inflation, contradicting GOP criticism of past pandemic stimulus payments.

Some experts speculate Republicans might attempt a workaround by rebranding tax refunds as tariff-related relief. While that could soften opposition, it remains unclear whether Congress will ultimately approve Trump’s proposal, making the fate of the $2,000 checks uncertain as negotiations continue.