President Trump did not say that a second stimulus check is on the way.

Here’s what you need to know.

Will there be a second stimulus check?

In an interview with Scripps, Trump was asked by Joe St. George about the possibility of a second stimulus check.

Joe St. George: I have a lot of viewers in Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan who are still struggling economically, sir. They spent all of that first stimulus check. Are you going to get them a second stimulus check?

President Trump: Yeah, we are. We are.

The interview didn’t stop here. Trump then focused the conversation on a stimulus package, not a stimulus check. Trump said the next stimulus package will be “very good” and “very generous.” While St. George’s questions were focused on a second stimulus check, Trump did not exactly commit to a second stimulus check. Rather, he said the next stimulus package would be bi-partisan and coming soon.

Will there be $2,000 a month stimulus checks?

The president may have been referring to the next stimulus package, which may or may not include second stimulus checks. Trump did not provide details on the size of a stimulus package or second stimulus checks. One thing is near certain: there won’t be $2,000 a month stimulus checks. There has been no indication from the president or Senate leadership that monthly stimulus checks will be included in the next stimulus bill. There have been multiple proposals for a $2,000 a month stimulus check. For example, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang proposed a $2,000 a month stimulus check. Mark Cuban also proposed giving Americans $1,000 every two weeks. Yang also proposed $1,000 a month for life through a “Freedom Dividend.” This doesn’t mean there won’t be second stimulus checks. However, if there is a second stimulus check, it likely will not be monthly.

Congress doesn’t support second stimulus checks

The next stimulus package will come from Congress. While the White House may have input and help draft the legislation, only Congress can authorize legislation for the next stimulus package. To date, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has opposed second stimulus checks, citing the high cost and his focus on other legislative priorities. Republicans control the Senate and will have the final say on whether second stimulus checks will be included in the next stimulus bill. Here’s what some Republican senators have said about a second stimulus check:

  • On the Senate funding a second stimulus check: “Unlikely” — Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT)
  • “I’m not enthused about another round of rebate checks…I do believe we should be helping people on Social Security because the price of food has gone up and I don’t see any end in sight.” — Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC)
  • “At the time, the country was entering lockdown and the whole world was scrambling to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.” — Sen. James Lankford (R-OK)
  • “I don’t think we should set up a situation where we’re doing a check month after month after month.” — Sen. James Lankford (R-OK)

Most Democrats and the White House have indicated interest in a second stimulus check. The White House is also floating a proposal from Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) to pay a return-to-work bonus as an alternative to extending $600 a week unemployment benefits. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) has proposed extending unemployment benefits —some of which expire soon — until the economy improves.

Trump wants “at least $2 million” for next stimulus

Trump’s advisors have indicated the next stimulus bill could be focused on manufacturing jobs, a payroll tax cut, a return-to-work bonus, a $4,000 travel credit and an infrastructure plan, among others. Unemployment is a major factor in the next stimulus bill. Economic growth and unemployment could help dictate what financial incentives are included in the next stimulus. According to White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, the president wants the next stimulus bill to be “at least $2 trillion.” This is nearly double the $1 trillion amount that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would target and two-thirds the size of the $3 trillion Heroes Act that House Democrats passed.

Bottom Line

Congress likely will vote on the next stimulus package in July. To date, Senate Republicans have not supported a second stimulus check. The president has floated the idea of a second stimulus check before, but he has also stressed the importance of other priorities to stimulate and grow the economy. While a second stimulus check could be included in the next stimulus package, don’t expect a second stimulus check. The House approved the Heroes Act, a $3 trillion stimulus bill that includes a second stimulus check of up to $1,200 for each individual and $1,200 for each dependent (up to three dependents). However, the Senate will not approve the Heroes Act in its current form and McConnell doesn’t support a second stimulus check. Stay tuned.

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