Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced a bill on Monday aiming to provide people with at least a $600 rebate.
The bill would use the money from tariff revenue to fund itself, with the possibility of a higher rebate depending on the money brought in from other countries. His legislation comes after President Donald Trump suggested tariff money could be used to give back to the people.
“Americans deserve a tax rebate after four years of Biden policies that have devastated families’ savings and livelihoods,” Hawley said in a statement accompanying the bill, titled the American Worker Rebate Act.
“Like President Trump proposed, my legislation would allow hard-working Americans to benefit from the wealth that Trump’s tariffs are returning to this country,” he added.
Hawley said he would introduce the bill last week. While the bill could pay $600 or a number determined by the tariff revenue, whichever is higher, there are select income levels at which a rebate would be reduced.
If a joint return reports $150,000 or more, a head of household at $112,500, or anyone else at $75,000 or more, that person would be subject to a 5% reduction. Any adult or dependent child is eligible for the money.
The bill was framed after COVID-19 stimulus legislation Hawley worked on with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) during the pandemic.
The Treasury Department reported that the United States brought in around $27 billion in tariff funds in June. Trump is still negotiating trade deals with several countries, but recently announced agreements with the European Union and Japan.
Hawley’s bill could receive bipartisan support, but Republicans have majorities in both congressional chambers, which could be used to pass the bill if it makes it out of committee.
HAWLEY PROPOSES SENDING REBATE CHECKS TO WORKING AMERICANS MODELED AFTER COVID STIMULUS
Democrats could view voting for the bill as supporting Trump’s tariff agenda, a trade policy many in the Democratic Party view as raising prices on consumers.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee and has not drawn co-sponsors.