Trump requests $88 billion from Congress for Iran war, Ebola outbreak and farmers aid
Key takeaways
- I urge the Congress to take action on these important and urgent requests as soon as possible, Vought wrote in a seven-page letter.
- Shortly after the supplemental s release, Democratic lawmakers were already throwing cold water on its passage.
- Chris Murphy (D-Conn) said the package seems designed to repel Democratic votes, and designed not to pass.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought asked for $67 billion for the Defense Department, down from an expected $200 billion first floated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in March.
But even with a smaller price tag, the bill will need some support from Democrats to pass in the Senate at a time when lawmakers in both parties are reluctant to authorize more spending amid the unpopular Middle East conflict.
It also comes as the Trump administration is pushing for a massive $1.5 trillion defense budget, a more than a 40 percent bump from last year, and as Washington is negotiating with Iranian officials to end the Middle East conflict, fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and eventually do away with Tehran s nuclear program.