The White House is asking Congress for $87.6 billion for the war against Iran and other programs. Most of the package is to strengthen the Pentagon and Operation Epic Fury.
The White House has asked the US Congress for additional funding in the amount of 87.6 billion dollars, with a significant part of this sum to cover expenses related to the United States’ war against Iran. The agencies AFP and AP drew attention to the new budget request, reports TASR.
- The White House is asking Congress for $87.6 billion in additional funding.
- Of this amount, $67 billion is to strengthen the Pentagon’s budget.
- Operation Epic Fury is a joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran since February.
- The package also includes aid to farmers, the fight against Ebola and infrastructure.
- The budget request comes amid Washington’s peace talks with Tehran to end the war.
Of the total package, $67 billion is to be used to supplement the Pentagon’s budget in connection with Operation Epic Fury. It is a joint American-Israeli offensive against Iran that began on February 28.
Money for the Pentagon
The US government explained in the request that the money for the Department of Defense is intended to cover urgent needs arising from the military conflict with Iran. It should mainly be about financing personnel expenses, ensuring the combat readiness of units and operating costs needed to replenish military supplies.
The budget package does not only include expenditures related to the military. It also includes several civilian items, such as support for American farmers, funding to fight the Ebola virus in Central Africa, and money for domestic infrastructure projects.
A wider aid package
In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought stressed that Congress should act immediately. He described the measures contained in the package as important and urgent and called on lawmakers to approve them as soon as possible.
The budget request comes shortly after Congress passed a largely symbolic resolution aimed at ending US military operations against Iran. AFP reminds that this step is mainly political in nature and its practical impact is limited.
Negotiations with Tehran
At the same time, the submission of the request conflicts with the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran. Their stated goal is to reach an agreement that would formally end the war in the Middle East. The budget request of the White House thus comes in a situation where Washington is simultaneously financing military operations and at the same time trying to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
