D.C. Memo: Trump promises money to court voter loyalty, again

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s plan to help Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate in the midterm election is to promise to give money to potential voters.

At a midterm party convention in Dallas this week, Trump pledged a $5,000 dividend to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress in the November election.

Federal law prohibits payouts to influence voting. And Congress would have to appropriate the money, which back-of-the-envelope estimates say would come to more than $1.3 trillion.

Trump has proposed bonuses to Americans before that never materialized. But the promise of cash may motivate some voters who are disillusioned with the Republican Party over continuing inflation and actions Trump has taken, such as involving the United States in an open...