President Joe Biden is sending out letters to those Americans who received stimulus checks from the federal government.
The Washington Examiner claimed Biden is eager to get credit from voters for the federal aid.
The one-page letter is being mailed out by the Internal Revenue Service, but written on White House stationery, according to USA Today. The letter, with Biden’s signature, is similar to one by then-President Donald Trump sent last year. That letter sparked accusations that Trump was politicizing the IRS.
The new Biden letter is addressed to "My fellow American," and it touts Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that provided emergency assistance to eligible Americans, including direct payments of up to $1,400.
"When I took office, I promised the American people that help was on the way," Biden wrote. "The American Rescue Plan makes good on that promise."
In his letter, Biden informs the particular recipient how much he or she is eligible to receive. A phone number and IRS website address are provided so eligible recipients can track the status of their check.
"This has been a long, hard time for our nation," he wrote. "But I believe brighter days are ahead. We are on the path to vaccinating the nation. Our economy is on the mend. And our children will be back in school. I truly believe there is nothing we can’t do as a nation, as long as we do it together."
About 78 million of Biden's letters had been mailed as of April 30.
In April 2020, a one-page letter from Trump was sent to those who received stimulus payments of up to $1,200 under a law aimed at helping the economy recover from the pandemic, according to USA Today.
Trump had also insisted his signature appear on checks, the Examiner noted.
And Brookings Institution governance studies Vice President Darrell West noted politicians look to put their names on "good things" for taxpayers.
"They want the credit for sending out checks and want to make sure voters know who was responsible for the stimulus checks," West said. "Those who are out of power always criticize leaders for doing this, but they do the same thing when they are in charge."
White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended the letters last week.
"It was just a letter that went out with them but not intended to make it about him," she said. "It's about the American people. And we didn't have him sign the checks because we were concerned about any impact that would have on delaying them going out to the public."
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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