Plans for a second round of COVID-19 stimulus checks are in the works, according to President Donald Trump. In a June 22 interview, Scripps National Political Editor Joe St. George asked Trump whether the American people could expect another round of stimulus payments. Trump replied with unequivocal confirmation and added, “We will be doing another stimulus package, it will be very good, very generous.”
Trump offered a few more details about the upcoming stimulus check legislation, which would likely be part of the fourth stimulus package. He said the proposal would most likely be bipartisan and that it would be announced in the coming weeks.
When asked how much money people will receive from their second stimulus payment, Trump said, “You’ll find out about it.”
Here’s what you need to know:
WATCH: Trump Confirms Concrete Plans for a Second Stimulus Payment for the American People
VIDEO: President Trump commits to 2nd stimulus. He says details would be announced in the coming weeks. The President would not tell me how much of a check Americans will receive.
During his interview with St. George on Monday, Trump offered the most concrete information he’s provided thus far about whether Americans can expect another round of stimulus payments.
St. George said to Trump, “I have a lot of viewers in Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan who are still struggling economically, sir. They spent all of that first stimulus check. Are you going to get them a second stimulus check?”
“Yeah, we are, we are,” Trump replied. When St. George pushed on a timeline, Trump said, “We had this going better than anyone’s ever seen before. We had the best job numbers, the best economics, the best economy we’ve ever had. And then we had the virus come in from China, and we’re rebuilding it again.”
Trump said this package will be announced as a bipartisan push “over the next couple of weeks, probably.”
The U.S. House of Representatives in May passed the HEROES Act, which would provide another round of $1,200 cash payments to individuals and extend the additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits until January. However, that $3 trillion package is not expected to pass the Senate. Trump has called the bill “dead on arrival.”
Trump Has Also Floated the Idea of an ‘Explore America’ Tax Credit for Americans
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During a roundtable discussion with restaurant industry leaders in May, Trump first brought up the idea of a tax credit for Americans that would incentivize domestic travel in the next year. He said, “Create an ‘Explore America’ — that’s ‘Explore,’ right? Explore America tax credit that Americans can use for domestic travel, including visits to restaurants. That’s a big deal.”
Rather than providing a direct payment by check, direct deposit or debit card, the proposed “Explore America” credit would allow taxpayers to file for tax deductions for domestic travel expenses “incurred while traveling away from home in the U.S.,” Forbes reported. The proposal would offer tax credits for amounts over $50 spent at American restaurants, hotels and other businesses in the travel industry, according to Forbes.
It is not clear how eligibility would be determined, but Forbes reported “the credit would cover up to 50% of a household’s total vacation expenses” up to $4,000.
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