Times are tough for many people, and there may be good news on the horizon. The federal government could soon be sending out $600 rebate checks to American workers and families, similar to the stimulus checks issued during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
This new initiative is expected to be funded by record-breaking tariff revenue.
In June 2025, the government raised about $27 billion in tariff revenue, which is a huge jump from the $4 billion collected during the same month last year. This increase has caught the attention of Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, who introduced a bill aimed at using some of this revenue to directly benefit American families.
What is the American Rebate Worker Act?
Senator Josh Hawley proposed the American Rebate Worker Act, which would send out $600 checks to eligible American workers and families. The goal is to return some of the tariff money back to the citizens who have been impacted by economic hardships.
Hawley emphasized that Americans deserve a tax rebate after the challenges caused by the previous administration’s economic policies. He said, “Americans deserve a tax rebate after four years of Biden policies that have devastated families’ savings and livelihoods.”
The bill aims to ensure that each eligible worker and child would receive at least $600. This means that a family of four could potentially receive $2,400.
How Will This Compare to the 2020 Stimulus Checks?
The American Rebate Worker Act would be similar to the stimulus payments Americans received during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 under the CARES Act. Back then, individuals received up to $1,400 per person, and couples filing jointly could receive $2,800, plus an additional $1,400 for each qualifying dependent.
For the new tariff rebate checks, the eligibility requirements would be similar. You would qualify for the full payment if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is up to $75,000 for individuals or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. If your AGI exceeds these limits, the amount of the rebate would be reduced.
However, unlike the 2020 stimulus checks, which were tied to the COVID-19 crisis, these payments would be funded by tariff revenues and could be larger if projections for tariff revenue in 2025 exceed expectations. Some projections suggest that $150 billion in tariff revenue could be raised by 2025.
What About the Doge Checks?
The tariff rebate checks are separate from the idea of $5,000 Doge checks. The Doge checks were proposed by James Fishback, CEO of the Azoria investment firm, who suggested using DOGE funds to create a tax refund for taxpayers.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), originally headed by Elon Musk, has reportedly saved around $199 billion by cutting government waste, fraud, and abuse. This saving could translate into a potential refund of approximately $1,236 per taxpayer.
However, this DOGE dividend idea has not yet gained any official support in Congress, although President Trump mentioned his backing for the concept earlier this year.
The $600 tariff rebate checks proposed by Senator Josh Hawley could provide financial relief to millions of Americans in the form of direct payments funded by the government’s tariff revenue.
These payments would be similar to the stimulus checks issued in 2020 and could reach as much as $2,400 for a family of four. However, before any funds reach bank accounts, the bill must be passed by Congress.
If approved, this initiative could offer much-needed support to households struggling with the economic fallout from past policies, while also allowing workers to benefit from the growing tariff revenue.
