GOP lawmakers pump brakes on Trump's $5K check promise: 'Where are you getting the money?', tell me about this news in (https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-lawmakers-pump-brakes-trumps-5k-check-promise-where-you-getting-money)

This Fox News report details the pushback and skepticism Donald Trump is facing from House Republicans over his campaign-style pledge to issue $5,000 dividend checks to American adults if the GOP prevails in the midterm elections.

Key Points of the Report:

• Massive Cost and National Debt Concerns: Sending $5,000 checks to every American adult would carry an estimated price tag of at least $1 trillion. Several GOP fiscal conservatives voiced strong opposition. Representative Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) called it “pay-to-play” and questioned where the money would come from given the nation’s soaring debt, arguing, “You shouldn’t pay anybody to vote your conscience.”

• Skepticism from Leadership and Appropriators: House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said he is “skeptical” the plan can be achieved. He noted that if substantial funds were available, he would prefer using them to bolster national defense or shore up Social Security rather than distributing direct cash.

• Calls for Guardrails and Alternatives: Lawmakers who did not reject the idea outright argued that strict conditions would be necessary:

  • Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) warned about inflation and said checks shouldn’t go out “willy-nilly,” insisting payments should be restricted to working taxpayers.

  • Rep. Brad Knott (R-N.C.) favored structured tax cuts or rebates over direct check-mailing.

  • Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) stated she would rather focus on job creation.

• Support and Funding Theories: Some Republicans showed cautious interest:

  • House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-Md.) called the general idea of returning money to taxpayers good, though he noted the amount would need debate and likely require budget reconciliation through Congress.

  • Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger (R-Texas) suggested financing the checks by recovering money lost to federal waste, fraud, and abuse.

• Disagreement on Congressional Authority: Trump suggested to reporters that he might not need congressional approval to issue the checks. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other lawmakers contradicted that view, stating that an expenditure of this magnitude would legally require Congress to act.