President Trump has said the federal government will send every American adult a $5,000 check if the Republicans maintain control of the House and Senate after the midterm elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson was a guest on KEEL Radio in Shreveport and says the proposal will need Congressional approval.
“Congress will obviously debate and discuss this in the weeks and months ahead; but we also need to stay mindful of the cost and our country’s fiscal situation, so that’s all part of the discussion,” Johnson said.
Democratic New York Congressman Dan Goldman called the pledge corrupt and blatantly illegal. The top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, says called the proposal a political bribe. Johnson pushed back on the idea that it is a bribe.
“He’s not buying votes, because his proposal, on its face, obviously says EVERY American will get a check, regardless of how you vote. So that’s how he presented it, that’s what he means by that; this is not a vote-buying proposed goal,” Johnson explained.
There are some Republicans who do not support the $5,000 dividend check, because the country faces $40 trillion in debt and the checks could lead to more inflation. Johnson’s argument to those concerns is that the Republican-led Congress has taken steps to reduce spending.
“Do you know that we cut $1.6 trillion just in the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ alone in July of last year? $1.6 trillion in wasteful government spending,” Johnson noted.
The payments would cost more about $1.2 trillion.