President Donald Trump’s pledge to cut $2,000 checks for Americans using tariff revenue is getting the cold shoulder from Republican senators. But conservatives worried about the national debt are going a step further in their disapproval.

Budget hawks scoff at the notion of using import taxes from foreign goods for anything other than paying down the deficit that’s projected to top $1.8 trillion for 2025. Tariff revenue this year is predicted to reach $300 billion, only half of the $600 billion needed to dish out the checks.

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