Schumer Plans To Pass Law Prohibiting Trump From Putting His Name On Stimulus Checks

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., will introduce legislation intended to stop President Donald Trump from putting his name on any more stimulus checks. The so-called “No PR Act” would prohibit using federal funds towards anything that promotes Trump's or Vice President Mike Pence’s signatures.

Schumer’s proposal comes in the wake of the Treasury Department ordering Trump’s name to appear on the stimulus checks sent to Americans after the passage of the $2.2 trillion stimulus bill. Critics claim that this move made it seem as if the money came primarily as a result of Trump’s actions, instead of the result of an arduous process that required major contributions from both chambers of Congress, various interest groups and the Treasury before the president signed the bill into law. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin claimed that it was his idea, saying “I think it's a terrific symbol to the American public."

Schumer said “(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 re-election campaign.”

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., sent a letter to Mnuchin last week, demanding answers on his decision, writing “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.”

Roughly 70 million Americans will receive checks with Trump’s name on them, looking like this.

While another 80 million will have the stimulus payments directly deposited to their bank accounts and will receive an accompanying letter notifying them of it with Trump’s signature on it.

Congress is currently away on recess but is scheduled to return on May 4, when the Senate Minority Leader will presumably introduce this bill as Democrats fight for a “phase 4” bill that passes another round of financial relief for Americans struggling with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.