Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed told CNN on Thursday that his ideas for lasting federal aid, including study of payments tied to slavery, are not the same as a one-time five-thousand-dollar sum for every adult. He said that sum would go out without a new law if Republicans hold both chambers of Congress.

El-Sayed called the check an exchange for ballots and said he instead backs ongoing medical coverage plus help with fuel, food, doctor visits, parents staying at work after having children, and strong schools. Host Kaitlan Collins had asked how those ideas, plus childcare subsidies, differ from the check he tied to weak poll numbers after a trade fight and unfinished fighting in Iran.

He said the contrast is governing around daily costs rather than handing out money after an election.