Yes. Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress controls federal spending, so a nationwide $5,000 payment to adult citizens would need lawmakers to authorize the money—not a unilateral presidential order alone.
Reuters reported that sending checks to about 240 million adult U.S. citizens would cost roughly $1.2 trillion. Tariff revenue cited by the White House so far this fiscal year is far smaller than that total, according to Congressional Budget Office figures referenced in the same explainer.
Even with Republican majorities, Democrats could try to block ordinary Senate passage (typically needing 60 votes to advance most bills). Republicans might attempt a party-line budget process, but timing before the November 3, 2026 midterms is tight.
Source: Reuters — Explainer: Is Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend’ legal and how would it work? (Sept. 10, 2026)