President Donald Trump’s name will not be on stimulus checks sent to Americans if a bill soon to be introduced by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) passes through Congress.
Republicans control the Senate and are unlikely to support the bill, which Schumer plans on introducing soon.
Dubbed the No Politics in Pandemic Recovery Act, or No PR Act, the legislation would bar using taxpayer funds “for any publicity or promotional activity that includes the names, likeness, or signature” of Trump or Vice President Mike Pence.
“President Trump unfortunately appears to see the pandemic as just another opportunity to promote his own political interests. The No PR Act puts an end to the president’s exploitation of taxpayer money for promotional material that only benefits his reelection campaign,” Schumer said in a statement sent to news outlets. “Delaying the release of stimulus checks so his signature could be added is a waste of time and money.”
Schumer’s office didn’t respond to a request for more information.
Stimulus checks are being sent to some 70 million Americans whose bank information isn’t available to the IRS. Others received direct deposits.
Having the president’s name on the checks will not delay sending them out, according to the agency.
“Economic Impact Payment checks are scheduled to go out on time and exactly as planned—there is absolutely no delay whatsoever,” the spokesperson said.
The IRS has also said no delay in sending the checks will occur.
The president told reporters that he believed “people will be very happy to get a big, fat, beautiful check, and my name is on it.”
“I do understand it’s not delaying anything, and I’m satisfied with that,” Trump said. “I don’t imagine it’s a big deal.”
“To set the record straight, I request details about how you made this decision to benefit the president politically, which may delay delivery of critical funds to millions of Americans struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table,” Wyden wrote.
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