Pentagon seeks $80 billion from Congress for Iran war
The Pentagon has told senators it needs roughly $80 billion, mostly to cover the cost of the U.S. war against Iran, adding to what is
The Pentagon has told senators it needs roughly $80 billion, mostly to cover the cost of the U.S. war against Iran, adding to what is already a sizable military spending boost being sought by President Donald Trump. West Asia war LIVE updates on June 23, 2026 The White House Office of Management and Budget has yet to make a formal request to Congress. But Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has been making the rounds on Capitol Hill, including Monday (June 22, 2026) evening. A top Deputy Defence Secretary told senators about the Iran funding request last week, according to two people familiar with the situation but not authorised to discuss it publicly. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the developments. Push for Pentagon money faces skeptical lawmakers The push for billions of dollars in Iran war funding comes at a fraught political moment. Lawmakers are sceptical of the deal Mr. Trump struck with Iran to bring an end to the war, and wary of next steps. The White House has requested a remarkable $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon – a nearly 50% increase over the current fiscal year's funding levels. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he's expecting a supplemental spending request from the administration for the war, and when it arrives, “we'll work through it and see where the votes are”.
“We need to make sure we're doing everything we can to replenish, resupply a lot of our munitions that have been depleted – not only just with what's happening with Iran, but prior to that,” Mr. Thune said.. Deputy Defence Secretary Stephen Feinberg spoke to several senators about the proposal in calls last week, and he notified congressional committees that the $80 billion request had been sent to the Office of Management and Budget. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, the funding package will almost certainly run into trouble from lawmakers who refuse to support Mr. Trump's decision to go to war and are reluctant to give the Pentagon more money at a time of high costs of living for Americans at home. “You're spending families' hard-earned tax dollars on a war that many strongly oppose,” Democratic Senator Patty Murray told Mr. Hegseth in a hearing last month. Trump seeks record $1.5 trillion for defence this year In addition to the Iran funding, Republicans hope to secure about $1.1 trillion through the regular appropriations process, which typically requires support from both parties for approval. Then, they hope to secure an additional $350 billion through a mostly party-line vote later this summer.
The BriefWire