President Donald Trump said he does not think congressional approval would be needed to issue $5,000 payments to Americans if Republicans retain the House and Senate in November, despite the Constitution assigning Congress authority over federal spending. Trump has described the proposed payments as a dividend linked to economic performance and previously said recipients would be required to spend the money in the United States. The payments could cost about $1.3 trillion before administrative expenses if distributed to as many as 270 million adult US citizens. Trump has pointed to tariff receipts as a funding source, while Vice President JD Vance has also said tariff revenue could finance the proposal. The Tax Policy Center projects about $1.7 trillion in tariff collections across fiscal years 2026 through 2036, including $177 billion in 2026, and analysts have said a funding gap would require additional borrowing. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., criticized the proposal and raised concerns that the checks would add to inflation. Most legislation requires 60 Senate votes to advance, though Reuters reported Republicans could use a budget process that allows certain measures to pass without Democratic support. Trump also said his administration would send $500 rebates to people he said were wrongly overcharged through Obamacare; the White House said nearly 1 million eligible people in 30 states using healthcare.gov would receive refunds. Trump has made four cash-payment proposals since taking office last year, but none has produced payments to Americans.