US military seeks another $80B to cover costs of Iran conflict

The Department of Defense is preparing to seek an additional $80 billion to cover costs from the U.S. war against Iran, according to senators briefed on the matter. 

A senior deputy defense secretary disclosed the upcoming request in a meeting with lawmakers last week, The Associated Press reported. While the White House Office of Management and Budget has not formally submitted the proposal to Congress, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined senators on Capitol Hill Monday to discuss military funding. 

Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg told several senators that the $80 billion request had already been sent to the Office of Management and Budget for review. 

The other side:

The funding push is expected to face resistance from lawmakers who oppose the president’s decision to go to war with Iran, as well as from members wary of expanding Pentagon spending amid rising inflation levels. 

Trump looks to add $1.5 trillion for defense this year

By the numbers:

Republicans are to use support from both parties to secure about $1.1 trillion through the regular appropriations process. An additional $350 billion could come later this summer through a mostly party-line vote. 

The new funding the Pentagon hopes to request is much higher than the $29 billion initial total Secretary Hegseth estimated for war costs last month in his testimony before Congress. 

Most of the money would be used to replace munitions and repair equipment but could also be used to help with operational costs in keeping forces deployed overseas. 

What they're saying:

Indiana Republican Sen. Jim Banks said, "To me it’s less about the war, it’s more about the stockpiles." He continued, "I would sell it to my state as an investment in our defense industrial base, restoring defense production to Indiana."

 

U.S.Iran War