Trump administration proposes $87.6 billion spending, including for Iran war

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Congress to approve an additional $87.6 billion in spending, including funds for U.S. military operations targeting Iran. The request was formally submitted by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to the House on June 11, with Director Russell Vought urging early consideration.

The bulk of the proposed funds, roughly $67 billion, is earmarked for the Department of Defense to address war-related needs, including 'funding for military personnel costs and readiness' as well as 'operating expenses to replenish stockpiles.' The proposal is more modest than the $200 billion supplemental funding request the Pentagon had floated earlier this year.

However, the political feasibility of the large spending bill is in doubt, with midterm elections approaching in November. The request also comes just a day after Congress passed a war powers resolution calling on President Trump to cease military actions against Iran or seek legislative approval.

That vote saw four Republican senators—Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine), Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), and Rand Paul (Kentucky)—vote with Democrats. Two other Republican senators did not vote. The internal GOP divide reflects deep polarization in American society over the Iran war. Polls show the conflict is unpopular among the American public. An Ipsos/Reuters survey earlier this week found only 24% of respondents believed the war was worth the cost.

The divisive nature of the conflict also played out in a closed-door lunch for Republican senators on June 11, where President Trump unexpectedly appeared. After Trump criticized Republicans who supported the war powers resolution, Senator Bill Cassidy reportedly confronted the president and defended his vote. Cassidy told reporters after the meeting: 'I stood up and said: You haven't told the American people what's happening. This war was supposed to last four weeks, but it has lasted four months. Our initial goals have not been achieved.' Cassidy vowed to keep voting for war powers resolutions until Congress receives a full briefing on U.S. war efforts.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers vowed to oppose the White House funding request. Senator Patty Murray (Washington) called the proposal 'an attempt to secure tens of billions of dollars for unrelated Pentagon priorities that should be considered through the normal annual appropriations process.' She stressed: 'I will scrutinize this entire request and ensure we take care of our troops, but I will not automatically approve tens of billions of dollars for this catastrophic war of choice.'

The funding request does have supporters. Representatives Tom Cole (Oklahoma) and Ken Calvert (California) view the additional military spending as a worthy investment. In a joint statement, they wrote: 'President Trump’s request reflects the reality that our defense strength must be maintained, not just demonstrated.'

Specifically, of the Defense Department funds, $21 billion is allocated for munitions, $17.3 billion for operating costs, and $21.1 billion for classified programs. This would come on top of the $150 billion Congress approved for the military last year as part of President Trump's landmark tax and spending package, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

The spending proposal also includes other funds and measures that critics say could help secure passage. The package would include $11.1 billion in agricultural aid, of which $1.1 billion is for Florida farmers affected by winter storms. An additional $1.4 billion is allocated for Ebola response efforts in Africa. Some funds are also set aside for infrastructure and public works, including $1 billion for renovations to New York's Penn Station and $500 million for restoration and construction projects in Washington, D.C., where President Trump has pursued several projects, including the demolition of the White House East Wing.