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How would you feel about getting a $600 check from Uncle Sam?
That’s exactly what Senator Josh Hawley is proposing. On Monday, he introduced the “American Worker Rebate Act of 2025” — a bill that would send rebate checks to working Americans, funded by revenue from President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
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“Like President Trump proposed, my legislation would allow hard-working Americans to benefit from the wealth that Trump’s tariffs are returning to this country,” Hawley said in a statement.
Trump himself is open to the idea. Asked at the White House about a possible rebate for Americans from tariff revenue, he told reporters: “We’re thinking about that. We have so much money coming in, we’re thinking about a little rebate.”
To be fair, Trump also said the “big thing we want to do is pay down debt” — but added that “a little rebate for people of a certain income level might be very nice.”
So, how much money are we talking about and who would qualify?
How the rebate would work
According to Hawley’s press release, the bill would provide rebate checks of “at least $600 per adult and dependent child (e.g. $2,400 for a family of four).” If tariff revenue exceeds projections for 2025, the bill could allow for “a larger credit per person.”
However, the benefit phases out for higher earners — joint filers with an adjusted gross income over $150,000 and single filers earning more than $75,000 would receive a reduced amount.
The press release also noted that U.S. tariff revenue hit nearly $30 billion in June and several forecasts suggest it could surpass $150 billion for the year.
While a rebate check might sound appealing, critics argue that the money could be better used elsewhere — particularly to reduce America’s growing debt burden.
“I don’t think [a rebate] would be particularly good policy,” Alex Durante, senior economist at the Tax Foundation, told CNBC. “I would prefer that the revenue was used for deficit reduction rather than just cutting checks to people.”
Others warn the checks could add fuel to inflation — an issue still lingering after the pandemic-era stimulus measures.
“People will go out and spend some of that money and that would further put upward pressure on prices and probably magnify inflationary effects,” said Joseph Rosenberg, senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.
Hawley’s rebate checks are still just an idea — but you don’t have to wait for Washington to act to receive a financial boost. Savvy investors have long created their own passive income streams. Here are two simple ways to get started.
Read more: Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
Dividend stocks
Dividends are payments companies make to shareholders from their earnings, typically on a quarterly basis.
Investing in dividend-paying companies allows you to generate passive income without selling your shares — and it can be surprisingly satisfying. As John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest Americans in history, once said, “Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It’s to see my dividends coming in.”
While stock prices can rise and fall, companies with a strong track record of paying — and growing — dividends offer investors a steady cash flow. Over time, those increases can compound into a powerful income stream.
If you’d rather not pick individual stocks, dividend-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a simple alternative. These funds hold a basket of dividend-paying companies, providing instant diversification across industries. Many also offer automatic reinvestment, allowing investors to compound their returns over time without lifting a finger.
The beauty of ETF investing is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.
Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: link your cards and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in a dividend ETF with as little as $5 — and, if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.
Real estate
Real estate is another popular way to generate recurring income. When you own a rental property and tenants pay rent, you earn a steady monthly cash flow.
It’s also a popular hedge against inflation, as property values and rental income tend to rise alongside the cost of living.
However, while real estate investing has clear benefits, being a landlord comes with challenges and barriers to entry. Managing a property involves finding and screening tenants, collecting rent and handling maintenance and repair requests (out of your own pocket) — and that’s assuming you can save enough for a downpayment and get a mortgage to buy the property in the first place.
The good news? These days, you don’t need to buy a property outright to reap the benefits of real estate investing. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.
Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.
The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.
Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.
Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.