In brief
The White House has asked lawmakers to approve a $87.6bn budget, most of it earmarked for urgent costs linked to the US war on Iran. $67bn would go to the Department of Defense for munitions, operational costs, and classified programmes. The remainder covers unrelated items such as aid for US farmers and Ebola response in Central Africa. With the Iran conflict unpopular, the proposal faces an uphill battle in a Congress preparing for the upcoming mid‑term elections.
Trump asks Congress for $87bn, mostly for 'urgent' Iran war costs
The White House has requested approval of $87.6bn (£66.5bn), the bulk aimed at “urgent needs” connected to the US war on Iran, following Congress’s recent resolution rebuking the military action.
$67bn will be funneled to the Department of Defense: $21bn for munitions, $17.3bn for operational costs, and $12.1bn for classified programmes. Additional allocations include $11bn for US farmers and $1.4bn to tackle the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
The request faces political hurdles as the Iran conflict remains unpopular with voters and mid‑term elections loom. The Office of Management and Budget formally sent the request to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday.
'Most of this request will address urgent needs related to Operation Epic Fury (OEF),' the letter notes, referring to the Iran war. About $300m is earmarked for bolstering security at embassies and diplomatic outposts in the Middle East and South Asia following earlier attacks.
