The Pentagon has submitted a massive funding request to Congress, totaling nearly $88 billion, to cover some of the costs associated with the ongoing Iran war. The package, which was received by lawmakers on Wednesday afternoon, is significantly lower than earlier estimates, which projected the total cost to reach as high as $200 billion.
Despite the reduced price tag, Senate Democrats are unlikely to support the funding, which would be used to replenish munitions. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., has expressed his opposition to the package, stating that it appears to be "designed to repel Democratic votes." Democrats are also concerned that the package includes sweeteners such as $11 billion in aid for farmers and $1.4 billion to fight the Ebola outbreak in Africa, which they see as an attempt to attract their support.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has also weighed in against the package, accusing President Donald Trump of "asking taxpayers to clean up his messes." Schumer argues that the package would only serve to increase costs for American families, rather than lowering them. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has taken a more pragmatic approach, stating that he would be "shocked" if Senate Democrats supported the package, given their history of rejecting legislation.
The bulk of the funding request is geared toward the Pentagon, with $67 billion allocated for the War Department. This includes $21 billion to replenish missile stockpiles depleted during the Iran offensive, known as Operation Epic Fury, as well as $17 billion for military operations, $2.4 billion for drones and $5.1 billion for cybersecurity and autonomy.
The request also includes funding for the Coast Guard and the National Guard, as well as $672 million for the removal of Iranian nuclear materials, inspections and verification efforts, and other counterproliferation activities. The proposal would also fund potential U.S. verification activities in Iran, subject to site access, support inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, strengthen nuclear-smuggling detection efforts and expand Nuclear Emergency Support Team operations across the Middle East.
While Democrats are set to reject the funding package, a provision tucked into the legislation could also give Republicans heartburn. The package includes a policy to permanently extend the sale of gasoline with a blend of ethanol, known as E15. This issue has caused a rift within Senate Republican leadership, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., backing the provision, while Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., has argued that it would harm small refiners and undo strides for energy production made in Trump's flagship legislation.
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., has argued that the provision would serve as an "incentive," but acknowledged that it could be amended out of the broader supplemental package. The issue is expected to be a contentious one, with lawmakers working to find a "path forward" on the issue.
