In brief
The White House has asked Congress for $87.6bn to finance urgent needs tied to the United States’ campaign in Iran, a day after a resolution urged President Trump to conclude the military action. The bulk of the funds—$67bn—goes to the Department of Defense, including munitions, operational costs and classified programmes. The proposal also supports U.S. farmers and Ebola efforts, but faces resistance in a Congress that views the war unfavorably and follows the 2026 mid‑term election. A formal OMB request was sent to Speaker Mike Johnson, outlining a $300m allocation for embassy security and other urgent measures. Parliamentary debates, calls for a peace deal, and cost estimates highlight the growing friction between the White House and lawmakers amid a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
The White House has requested $87.6bn (£66.5bn) for urgent costs linked to the U.S. war on Iran, a day after Congress passed a resolution urging President Trump to end the operation.
$67bn of the package is earmarked for the Defense Department, including $21bn for munitions, $17.3bn for operational costs and $12.1bn for classified programmes. The remainder covers unrelated items such as $11bn for U.S. farmers and $1.4bn to combat Ebola in Central Africa.
Defence officials estimate the war has cost over $29bn so far, but the figure could be much higher. With the conflict unpopular among voters and a 2026 mid‑term election looming, the proposal faces an uphill battle in a Republican‑controlled Congress.
After congressional lawmakers told the president to halt the war, the White House Office of Management and Budget sent a formal letter to Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday, clarifying that most of the request addresses “urgent needs related to Operation Epic Fury (OEF)”. The letter also includes about $300m to bolster security at U.S. embassies in the Middle East and South Asia after recent attacks.
The ceasefire between Washington and Tehran continues, while the Pentagon works to rebuild its stocks from recent strikes. Congressional Republicans have signalled scepticism of a peace deal Trump agreed last week, and subsequent meetings at Capitol Hill revealed rising tensions over the war‑powers resolution.