Trump Requests Over $70 Billion for Iran Conflict Amid Legislative Pushback

The White House Office of Management and Budget delivered its formal funding request on Wednesday, addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The letter states that “most of the request will address urgent needs related to Operation Epic Fury (OEF),” a reference to the Iran conflict.

The funding package seeks $21 billion for munitions, $17.3 billion for operational expenses, and $12.1 billion for classified programs. An additional $300 million is requested to enhance security at U.S. embassies and diplomatic missions across the Middle East and South Asia, following recent attacks in the region.

The package also allocates $11 billion for U.S. farmers and $1.4 billion to combat the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, among other unrelated measures.

Washington and Tehran are maintaining a ceasefire, yet the White House budget office notes that the Pentagon must “rebuild stocks” following its recent military strikes.

A peace initiative was brokered between Trump and Iran last week, though some Republican lawmakers have expressed doubts about its viability.

A meeting between the president and senators on Wednesday turned contentious after Trump abruptly cancelled a signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill.

During the Capitol Hill lunch, Trump complained about a measure approved the night before, in which the Republican‑controlled Senate narrowly voted to limit his war‑powers authority.

Although largely symbolic, the resolution marked the first time Congress has approved a measure compelling a president to terminate a military operation.

In a morning remark, Trump called the resolution “poorly timed and meaningless.” He later labeled the four Republican senators who joined Democrats as “losers” on social media and, during a meeting with NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte, said the alliance “wants to lose the war because they’re stupid.”

Following the closed‑door lunch, Senator Cassidy told reporters about what he described as a heated exchange: “I stood and said, ‘You have not told the American people what’s going on.’”

He continued, “This was supposed to last four weeks, it’s lasted four months. Our original objectives have not been achieved.”

Trump responded to reporters, “I think we had a really great meeting.”

By day’s end, Cassidy’s worries seemed eased, as he posted on X that he had received a “thorough briefing” from Vice President JD Vance and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.

That same evening, Cassidy switched his vote to help defeat another Senate war‑powers resolution, a decision Trump praised.

Last month, Pentagon Chief Financial Officer Jules Hurst told a congressional panel that the conflict had cost roughly $29 billion to date. However, defense analysts and legislators argue that this figure fails to capture the full financial impact of the war.

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