Top White House economic adviser says $2k tariff checks for Americans depends on Congress

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Washington — Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett said Sunday that President Trump's idea to give Americans $2,000 checks funded by tariff revenue will "depend on what happens with Congress."

"I would expect that in the new year, the president will bring forth a proposal to Congress to make that happen," Hassett said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."

Since July, Mr. Trump has floated a possible rebate for some Americans based on tariff revenue. And last month, the president posted on social media that a "dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News last month that the checks would likely go to households making less than $100,000. He said at the time it remained "in discussion."

Hassett noted that Congress would have to approve the funds, which would likely be issued through the tax code and require lawmakers to pass new legislation authorizing the Treasury Department to send checks. But Hassett touted "a lot of positive news about the economy" since July that he suggested makes the checks more possible.

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Hassett said the funds could come from tariff revenue, while noting that "in the end, you know, we get taxes, we get tariffs, we get revenue from lots of places, and then Congress decides how to spend those money. That's an appropriation."

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Hassett said most of the tariffs put in place this year "have proven their mettle," pointing to high growth, reduction in the trade deficit and lower imports from China.

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