U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked Congress for an additional $87.6 billion in emergency funding, with the largest portion intended to cover the costs of the war with Iran, amid growing bipartisan concerns over the conflict and its political consequences.
The White House funding request includes tens of billions of dollars for the United States Department of Defense, as well as allocations for American farmers, efforts to combat Ebola outbreaks in Central Africa, and domestic infrastructure projects.
The proposal comes a day after Congress adopted a largely symbolic resolution calling on President Trump to end hostilities against Iran unless lawmakers provide explicit authorization for military action.
It also comes as the administration seeks to transform a preliminary agreement with Tehran into a final settlement after months of conflict that disrupted global energy markets, pushed up prices, and exposed divisions within the Republican Party.
White House budget director Russell Vought submitted the request in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, urging Congress to act swiftly on what he described as “important and urgent requests.”
The largest share of the package would be devoted to military costs associated with the conflict with Iran.
The administration requested approximately $67 billion for the Department of Defense, including:
* $21 billion for munitions and other military capabilities.
* $17.3 billion for operational costs.
* $12.1 billion for classified programs and projects.
The proposal also includes:
* Nearly $768 million for the United States Department of Energy to strengthen nuclear and energy security related to Iran.
* $300 million for the United States Department of State to secure and construct embassies in countries surrounding Iran.
The request is significantly lower than the $200 billion figure mentioned by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in March, when he suggested the Pentagon might require that amount to finance the war that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
The proposal is expected to face a difficult path through Congress. Most Democrats oppose the war, while some Republicans have begun questioning its costs, objectives, and prospects for ending it.
In the Senate, major spending legislation typically requires 60 votes, meaning Trump will likely need Democratic support unless Republicans find an alternative legislative route.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of seeking additional funds after dragging the country into what he called a “reckless war.”
Meanwhile, Senator Patty Murray, the leading Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, argued that Trump launched the war without congressional authorization or broad public support and is now asking taxpayers to “foot the bill.”
The request also includes:
* More than $11 billion in assistance for farmers affected by trade disruptions and economic consequences partly linked to Trump’s tariff policies.
* $1.4 billion to respond to Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and other regions.
* $1 billion to renovate Pennsylvania Station in New York.
* $500 million for restoration and construction projects in Washington, D.C.
AFP
