The White House on Wednesday officially requested $87.6 billion in additional funding, with a significant portion earmarked for the U.S. Department of Defense to cover expenses related to Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran, according to the Associated Press.
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, the White House Office of Management and Budget described the funding request as necessary to meet the operation’s “urgent needs,” following its launch on February 28.
The proposal includes $67.15 billion for the U.S. military, in addition to nearly $1 trillion already allocated for defense in 2025. It also comes alongside President Donald Trump’s separate request for approximately $1.5 trillion in defense spending for 2027, Reuters reported.
The funding request comes as lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties continue to express frustration over the ongoing conflict, with many voicing opposition to further U.S. military involvement.
Last week, Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg informed lawmakers that the Defense Department would need $80 billion to cover expenses related to the Iran conflict, along with other non-war-related costs, according to an exclusive report by The Wall Street Journal. Citing officials familiar with the matter, the report added that the administration was expected to submit the funding request to lawmakers in the coming days.
What is the purpose of the requested funding?
Beyond covering approximately $67 billion in operational costs related to the Iran conflict, the Trump administration is also seeking additional funding for several other priorities.
According to the Associated Press, the largest share of the proposed defense funding – $21 billion – would be allocated for the procurement of weapons and munitions. Another $17.3 billion would cover operational expenses, while $12.1 billion has been earmarked for classified defense programs.
The proposed funding would also cover fuel expenses, drone production, and cybersecurity initiatives, according to the report.
Beyond defense spending, the package allocates $11.1 billion in economic assistance for American farmers, including $10 billion for row and specialty crop producers and $1.1 billion for Florida farmers affected by the 2025 winter storms.
Another $1.4 billion has been earmarked to help Central African nations respond to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
The funding package also includes several policy priorities backed by the Trump administration that are expected to draw lawmakers’ attention. Among them is $500 million to support restoration and construction projects in and around Washington, D.C., as outlined in the letter.
In the letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, OMB Director Russ Vought urged Congress to approve the funding request without delay, stating, “I urge the Congress to take action on these important and urgent requests as soon as possible.”
Not Enough Votes to Approve War Funding
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the Trump administration’s request for additional funding, arguing that it would place the financial burden of the conflict on taxpayers. He said Trump was seeking $87.6 billion from Congress after drawing the United States into the conflict, adding that American families were already facing higher living costs.
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington also opposed the proposal, saying the funding request went beyond covering the costs of the military operation. According to the Associated Press, she argued that the package also sought tens of billions of dollars for unrelated Pentagon priorities.
Murray said she would carefully review the proposal to ensure U.S. servicemembers receive the support they need. However, she added that she would not approve additional billions of dollars for what she described as a “disastrous war of choice.”
Support for Trump’s Funding Proposal
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday briefed House Republicans from the Republican Study Committee on the Pentagon’s budget requirements, according to the Associated Press.
The White House is seeking nearly $1.5 trillion in defense spending as part of this year’s budget proposal, representing an increase of nearly 50% compared with previous funding levels.
Despite the administration’s push for additional defense funding, several lawmakers have said they have yet to receive a formal briefing from the Trump administration on the Iran conflict.
In an effort to build support for the funding package, the White House included several provisions aimed at appealing to lawmakers. Among them is a request for nearly $1 billion to support the final design and construction of a modernized Penn Station in New York City, according to the report.
Backing the administration’s proposal, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Representative Tom Cole and Defense Subcommittee Chairman Representative Ken Calvert said in a joint statement that the request reflects the need to strengthen the nation’s military capabilities. “President Trump’s request reflects the reality that our defense strength must be maintained, not merely demonstrated,” they said.
Contention Grows Over Iran War Vote
The funding request came just hours after President Trump reportedly clashed with Republican senators, including Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, over their support for a war powers resolution aimed at ending further U.S. military action against Iran, according to the Associated Press.
A day earlier, the U.S. Senate approved the war powers resolution directing Trump to halt military operations against Iran, weeks after the House passed the measure. A small group of Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in both chambers in supporting the resolution, signaling bipartisan opposition to the administration’s military approach.
Lawmakers have argued that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress – not the president – the authority to declare war and authorize the deployment of troops. They have also accused President Trump of bypassing Congress and undermining the constitutional separation of powers.