Trump administration asks Congress for $88 billion to fund war on Iran, Ebola, and farm aid
Washington – The Trump administration on Wednesday sent Congress a long-awaited funding package to help cover the costs of the Iran war.
The administration is asking for about $87.6 billion to address “urgent needs” related to the Iran war, as well as other funding to respond to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa and provide American farmers with support.
Most of the funding — $67 billion — is for the Pentagon, including $21 billion for weapons, $17.3 billion for operational costs and $12.1 billion for classified programs. It lists $767.5 million needed for the Department of Energy related to war and nuclear power in Iran, and $300 million for the State Department for defense and embassy construction in countries surrounding Iran.
This proposal would face an uphill battle and puts vulnerable Republicans in a tricky political position, as supporting it could be seen as supporting an unpopular war. It is certain that it will face strong opposition from the Democrats, making it doubtful that it will enter the Senate.
Some Republicans are already backing President Trump’s sanctions on Iran as their patience wears thin with the months-long conflict, especially as Americans worry about affordability issues heading into the November election. Eight Republicans helped pass it military power solution This month he ordered the president to withdraw the armed forces from the fight against Iran, unless Congress declares war or authorizes the use of military force.
“After dragging America into a reckless war, he now wants Congress to give him tens of billions more to cover the damage — while families continue to pay higher prices,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday in response to a request for more.
Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, called the request “an attempt to secure tens of billions of dollars more for Pentagon priorities that should be properly considered in the annual appropriations process.”
“I will carefully review this entire request and make sure we take care of our workers, but I will not invest tens of billions more in this fight of choice,” he said in a statement.
GOP Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the funding “crucial,” saying it would “accelerate the production of critical capabilities, from sophisticated weapons to low-cost hypersonics, assault weapons and drones.”
The additional request also calls for $11.1 billion in farm aid and $1.4 billion for efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and elsewhere.
It also calls on Congress to permanently allow E15, an ethanol-gas blend, to be sold at gas pumps year-round, in order to lower gas prices, as CBS News previously reported Wednesday. The administration’s request said it was “an urgent and necessary policy change that will increase consumer choice, support domestic fuel production, and provide more flexibility in fuel markets.”
