Trump calls $5,000 payments affordable for the US budget
US President Donald Trump said the country can afford payments of $5,000 to every adult American if the Republican Party retains control of Congress in this year’s elections. He told reporters in Ireland, where he was attending a golf tournament at his club in Doonbeg, TimesLIVE reports.
Answering a question about whether the payments would need congressional approval, Trump said that if Republicans win, payments of $5,000 could be received by all adult residents of the country. According to him, the United States would easily manage such expenses because trillions of dollars are flowing into the country.
Congressional approval
Last week, Trump first announced the idea of the payments during the Republican Party convention. House Speaker Mike Johnson told CNN that any such payments would require congressional approval. He added that the details of the proposal still need to be determined.
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House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called the initiative “a unserious proposal.” Democratic Senator from Michigan Mallory McMorrow expressed doubt that the promised checks would actually be sent even if Republicans retain control of Congress. She referred to the cancellation of some subsidies under the Affordable Care Act program.
Reaction to the proposal
Republican Congressman from New York Mike Lawler, who is running in a competitive election, did not express clear support for Trump’s proposal. He said he supports putting money back “in the pockets of hardworking Americans,” but emphasized the issue of funding. Lawler noted that the United States has $4 trillion in debt and must seriously address this problem.
Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the consumer rights organization Public Citizen, called the initiative an attempt to buy votes ahead of the November elections. In her view, Trump cannot make such payments, but is offering voters a monetary promise to help his party in the elections.
