Johnson says Congress would work with to deliver $5,000 checks Trump promised to Americans

House Speaker Mike Johnson committed in an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Congress would “work through” President Donald Trump’s promise to give $5,000 to American adults if Republicans keep the House and Senate after midterm elections.“I commit that Congress will work through it and find consensus on that, like I have to do everything else,” Johnson said, responding to a question about whether he committed that Americans would receive the checks if Republicans win the midterm elections.Johnson noted that “it takes some time,” pointing to Republicans’ slim majorities.“I never go out and give big commitments on the front end because I’ve got to work through it, and that’s what we do every single day,” he said.Asked whether he was willing to double down on Trump’s promise to voters, Johnson said, “I’ll work with the president hand in hand, as I do all the time, and we’ll deliver for the American people.”“That’s the promise,” he added.At the Dallas convention, Trump spoke on both nights, making a promise to the American people on Wednesday to issue $5,000 checks called the “Trump dividend,” if Republicans do well in the midterms.

The move sparked concerns from from Democrats, some Republicans and economic experts.Critics have characterized the president’s promise as an attempt to bribe voters and said that the move would drive up inflation.

“So if the Republicans win, you win with us, and you get $5,000.It will be called the Trump dividend,” the president told attendees in Dallas.Asked later whether Congress would need to approve such a disbursement of funds, Trump told CBS News, “we think not,” but, “I think they will do it if we needed it.”Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., sidestepped a question Thursday on Fox News about whether congressional Republicans would support such a measure.“Well, that’s a good question.

And we’ll cross our bridge when we come to it,” he said.Johns...