- The White House on Wednesday sent Congress a request for $87.6 billion in supplemental funding for the Iran war and some unrelated programs.
- In addition to defense funding, the White House is asking for billions to support farmers, respond to the Ebola outbreak in Africa and to complete construction projects in Washington and New York City.
- Democrats quickly slammed the request, which could force vulnerable Republicans to vote to spend additional money on an unpopular war. Congress would need to appropriate funds to fulfill the White House's request.
"I urge the Congress to take action on these important and urgent requests as soon as possible," Vought wrote.
The request includes $21 billion for the Defense Department to "support critical capabilities, munitions procurement, and strengthen the U.S. industrial base," $1.4 billion for Ebola response and $768 million for the Energy Department for nuclear and other energy security.
The request could put vulnerable Republicans in a difficult position months out from the 2026 midterm elections if they're forced to vote on additional funds for an unpopular war. And the request met with immediate opposition from congressional Democrats. Congress would need to appropriate money to fulfil the White House's request.
"President Trump launched a reckless and costly war with Iran — without authorization from Congress or the support of the American people — that he should never have started, and now, instead of doing anything to help families get by, he is asking taxpayers to pick up the tab and give him billions more to wage wars overseas," Sen.
Patty Murray, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement.
"And he is making this request for more funding as the Pentagon already has a historic annual budget and sits on over $100 billion in unspent funding Republicans provided in their Big Ugly Bill," Murray said, referring to the 2025 GOP tax and spending package known as the
One Big Beautiful Bill.
Vought's letter also requests $10 billion for farmers, who have struggled in the last year and a half in part because of Trump's trade policies, $500 million for restoration and construction projects in Washington, and $1 billion to renovate of Penn Station in New York City.
—
Emily Wilkins contributed to this report.<small>Source: CNBC</small>
Business
White House requests $87.6 billion supplemental spending for Iran war, farm aid
CNBC
June 24, 2026
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