Rep. Jayapal, other lawmakers urge White House not to politicize signing of stimulus checks

SEATTLE — U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., is urging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to have a civil servant sign the upcoming stimulus checks.

Jayapal, along with 22 colleagues wrote a letter to Mnuchin following reports that President Trump wants his own signature to appear on each check.

Jayapal and her colleagues say allowing Trump to do so would result in a delay in the process.The lawmakers said it is protocol for a civil servant from the Treasury Department to sign paper checks.

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“This is inappropriate and should not be allowed,” the lawmakers wrote. “It is important that these payments get to Americans because it is the right policy and that they do not become politicized by the President of the United States, just months before an election.”

The checks are part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act which was signed into law last Friday.

Some 80 percent of U.S. adults are expected to see stimulus checks of up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for couples. The federal government will also include $500 for each child or dependent.

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The rescue package is expected to support businesses, rush resources to overburdened health care providers and help struggling families during the coronavirus epidemic.

Read the full letter below:

“Dear Secretary Mnuchin:

“As you know, on Friday, March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” or “CARES ACT”. This $2 Trillion package is intended to provide relief for Americans struggling during this coronavirus pandemic. We are writing to you today regarding the provision that will provide most Americans with a payment of $1,200 for adults and $500 for children. This is an important provision that will provide direct money to Americans that need it now.

“In order for these checks to get to Americans in an expeditious and un-politicized manner, we request you:

• Prioritize making the payments through direct deposit so Americans can get their payment sooner and safer, rather than mailing checks out to addresses.
• Aggressively advertise how all Americans can set up direct deposit with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for this payment.
• Require any paper checks that are mailed to follow usual procedure and be signed by a Department of Treasury civil servant – the disbursing officer for the payment center. It would be highly inappropriate to use these direct relief payments as a campaign tool for any politician currently running for re-election. 

“It has been reported that President Trump told White House aides that he wants his signature to appear on the checks. This is inappropriate and should not be allowed. It is important that these payments get to Americans because it is the right policy and that they are not politicized by the President of the United States, just months before an election.

“Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your response."

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