Trump Says Pre-Election Checks Come From Economic Growth, Not Vote-Buying
President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Oct. 7 that $500 health-care rebates, $90 payments to seniors and a promised $5,000 payment were possible because of economic growth and tariff revenue, rejecting accusations that the payments are meant to buy votes before the Nov. 3 election.
President Donald Trump said on Oct. 7 that a series of payments reaching voters before the Nov. 3 election reflect economic growth under his policies, not an attempt to buy support, according to USA Today.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office while discussing $1,000 investment accounts the administration set up for newborn babies, Trump pointed to $500 rebates for health care, $90 payments to seniors and a promise of $5,000 more. He said Democrats would not have been able to use tariffs as effectively, according to USA Today.
What is already going out, and what is promised
The $500 checks began going out Sept. 30 to nearly 1 million people in 30 states who Trump said were overcharged for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act, USA Today reported. More than 20 million enrollees in Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits and medical equipment, are set to receive the $90 payments in the coming days.
The larger pledge is $5,000 for every adult if Republicans keep control of Congress. Trump has argued he does not need Congress to approve those payments, while also saying they would be as easy to accomplish as sending $1,776 bonuses to members of the military last year, USA Today reported. Those military payments came out of a Pentagon housing fund Congress had approved.
Cost questions and the election argument
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, has called the promise an alleged "bribe" for votes, according to USA Today. Economists have questioned whether the government could afford $1.3 trillion from the combined $5,000 checks and warned that they could spur inflation, USA Today reported.
Trump cited tariffs as both a revenue source and a tool to push companies to relocate manufacturing to the United States to avoid import taxes, according to USA Today. Tariffs have brought in an estimated $236 billion through Sept. 30, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center figures cited by USA Today. While money for the two health-related payments had accumulated in federal accounts, Congress traditionally oversees spending decisions, USA Today noted.
Reporting based on coverage by USA TODAY.
