Stimulus checks could be delayed as the U.S. Department of the Treasury has one more condition before they are sent out to Americans.
According to The Washington Post, the Treasury Department is ordering the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to print President Donald Trump’s name on the stimulus checks.
Administration officials report Trump’s name will appear below a statement that says “Economic Impact Payment” in the memo line.
A representative for the Treasury Department claimed there is no delay as the checks were scheduled to be sent out next week.
“Economic Impact Payment checks are scheduled to go out on time and exactly as planned—there is absolutely no delay whatsoever,” the statement from the representative reads. “In fact, we expect the first checks to be in the mail early next week which is well in advance of when the first checks went out in 2008 and well in advance of initial estimates.”
The move garnered reactions from lawmakers, including Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.).
“Stimulus checks will now be delayed several days. Why? Because [Donald Trump] wants to take credit for them,” Connolly tweeted. “He’s feeding his fragile ego at your expense. It’s shameless and shameful.”
Stimulus checks will now be delayed several days. Why? Because @realDonaldTrump wants to take credit for them.
— Rep. Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) April 15, 2020
He’s feeding his fragile ego at your expense.
It’s shameless and shameful. https://t.co/R7wQxweepq
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) also voiced his opinion on the decision.
“Coming to your $1,200 relief check: Donald J. Trump’s name … unprecedented, cheap political stunt by our Barnum’N Bailey ringmaster, our Joe Exotic! Gives Charlatan a bad name,” Cohen tweeted.
Coming to your $1,200 relief check: Donald J. Trump’s name// unprecedented,cheap political stunt by our Barnum’N Bailey ringmaster,our Joe Exotic!Gives Charlatan a bad name.#TrumpMadness #CARESAct https://t.co/BXwKgiWAKz
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) April 15, 2020
The stimulus checks come as part of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package signed into law by Trump to help mitigate the effects of the coronavirus crises on the economy.
Unemployment claims recently topped 6 million for two consecutive weeks, including the week ending April 4, as IJR previously reported.
As Americans continue to wait for answers on when the economy will reopen, Trump has said he is close to completing a plan.
Despite extending social distancing guidelines through April 30, Trump is hopeful some areas across the country will be able to reopen before May 1, as IJR reported.