Sen. Josh Hawley wants American families to directly benefit from the billions pouring in from President Trump’s tariffs. On Monday, the Missouri Republican introduced legislation that would send families rebate checks funded by tariff revenue.
The proposal offers $600 per adult and child — up to $2,400 for a family of four — modeled after the 2020 pandemic stimulus checks issued under Trump. Hawley says it’s about helping working Americans who’ve borne the brunt of Biden-era economic policies.
“Americans deserve a tax rebate after four years of Biden policies that have devastated families’ savings and livelihoods,” Hawley said. “Like President Trump proposed, my legislation would allow hard-working Americans to benefit from the wealth that Trump’s tariffs are returning to this country.”
The Treasury Department recently announced that July alone brought in nearly $28 billion in customs duties — a monthly record — pushing total tariff revenue for the year to $150 billion. Trump’s long-term goal is $300 billion in tariff income.
Trump himself hinted last week that rebate checks may be on the table. “We’re thinking about a little rebate,” he told reporters. “But the big thing we want to do is pay down debt.”
Critics — especially Senate Democrats and some tax experts — argue that tariffs function as a hidden tax on consumers, driving up prices on everyday goods. Hawley’s rebate aims to counter those effects by giving money back to families.
The rebates wouldn’t go to everyone equally. Payments would phase out for higher earners: joint filers making $150,000 or more, individuals earning over $75,000, and single parents making more than $112,500.
If tariff revenues continue to exceed expectations, Hawley says families could receive more than $600 per person. “We’re just getting started,” he said. “This money belongs to the American people.”