2026-09-1412brief

[UPDATE] Johnson says $5,000 checks need Congress; Trump says they'll happen '100%'

House Speaker Mike Johnson (Rep-R Louisiana) said Sunday, Sept. 13 that the checks need Congress to act. Hours later, Trump said from Ireland they will happen "100%." Asked why not send them now, while Republicans hold Congress, Trump said Democrats would leave the country "in shambles."

Sep. 13 — Trump promised $5,000 per adult if Republicans hold Congress, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick floating $5 million visa fees as the fourth pay-for in two days and no funding enacted.

Cost and condition:

  • $5,000 would go to every American adult only if Republicans hold the House and Senate.
  • Total cost tops $1 trillion against a nearly $1.8 trillion annual deficit.