U. S. Defense Seeks $80 Billion to Finish Iran War and Pay Other Bills

The Pentagon has asked Congress for a large sum of money, saying it needs $80 billion to finish the costs from its recent conflict with Iran and to cover other non‑military expenses. The request came in a series of phone calls with lawmakers, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal. The new money would not only keep the war budget moving but also help pay for things like farm aid and disaster relief. A full supplemental bill, which would include all these items, might be sent to Congress soon. So far the U. S. has spent about $25 billion on the Iran operation, a figure released by a Pentagon official in April. That number is only part of the story – the total cost of the war, which began under President Trump’s orders on Feb. 28 with Israel, is still unclear to lawmakers.An earlier $200 billion request for extra funding ran into strong resistance in Congress, showing how tricky it is to get money approved. The White House budget chief told a committee hearing that he had no exact figure for the war’s cost, while still supporting Trump’s $1. 5 trillion yearly defense budget. This push for big spending reflects Republican priorities ahead of the November midterm elections, where they aim to keep control of Congress. But voters are worried about rising living costs, high energy prices and the financial impact of the Iran war. The Pentagon’s request comes at a time when Congress is debating how to balance defense needs with other pressing issues. If the bill passes, it could shape the nation’s financial priorities for years to come.