Key facts
- The White House requested $87.6 billion in supplemental funding from Congress.
- $67.1 billion of the funds would cover costs related to the conflict with Iran.
- $21 billion is allocated for munitions procurement and the defense industrial base.
- $1.4 billion is requested for Ebola response in the DRC.
- $11.1 billion is requested for US farmers.
- The request includes codifying year-round sales of E15 gasoline blend.
The White House has formally requested $87.6 billion in supplemental funding from Congress, with a significant portion earmarked for the conflict with Iran and other national priorities. The request, detailed in a letter from OMB Director Russell Vought, includes $67.1 billion to cover costs related to the conflict, with $21 billion designated for munitions procurement and the defense industrial base. The package also includes $1.4 billion for Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and $11.1 billion for US farmers struggling with economic shocks. Additionally, the administration seeks to codify year-round sales of E15 gasoline.
The supplemental funding request faces significant opposition from Democratic lawmakers, who argue against funding an unauthorized and unpopular conflict. Senator Patty Murray stated that the Pentagon has unspent funds and that she would not "rubber stamp tens of billions more for this disastrous war of choice." The request comes amid a legislative standoff in Congress, with House Republican leadership cancelling votes. The conflict with Iran was initiated by President Donald Trump in February without prior congressional authorization, and public support for the conflict is low, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
This request follows Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion budget for the Pentagon. While appropriators in the Senate and House have advanced legislation for $1.15 trillion of those funds, the remaining $350 billion requested by the White House has met skepticism from some Republicans.