President Trump’s request for $200 billion from Congress to fund the Iran war was coolly met by some members of his own party.
“I am a no. I have already told leadership. I am a no on any war supplemental. I am so tired of spending money over there,” Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert told CNN. “I have folks in Colorado who can’t afford to live. We need America first policies right now.”
At a press briefing Thursday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that the administration was planning to make the funding request, saying, “It takes money to kill bad guys.”
The U.S. and Israel launched the joint operation on February 28. Bloomberg news reported that the first six days of the war cost around $11 billion. The high cost comes from the expensive and advanced weaponry being used.
For example, Bloomberg wrote that the MIM-104 Patriot missile defense system cost about $1 billion while its PAC-3 interceptor missiles cost about $4 million each.
Trump launched the war without getting authorization from Congress. Under the U.S. Constitution only Congress can declare war. Although such formal declarations are rare, past presidents have at least sought congressional approval before initiating combat with other nations. For example, President Bush sought congressional support before launching the Iraq war in 2003.
Now, with the war underway and an uncertain timeline, President Trump plans to ask Congress for $200 billion. For context, the entire defense budget for the year approved in December is for about $835.5 billion. The new funding would be on top of that already approved expenditure.
“It begs the question, how long do they plan to be there? What are the goals? Is this the first $200 billion? Does this turn into a trillion?” GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky told CNN.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told CNN that she needed some explanations from Trump before approving any funding: “The people in Alaska are asking me how long is this going on? Are there going to be boots on the ground, how much is this going to cost? The answer to most of this is I don’t know.”
Congressman Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, told CNN he did not want ground troops in Iran: “I think we need to find an exit strategy as fast as possible. I don’t want to put Americans on the ground out there in any shape, form or fashion.”
Democrats were skeptical of the funding request.
“At the height of combat the Iraq War cost around $140 Billion per year. If the Pentagon is asking for $200 billion they are asking for a long war. The answer is a simple no,” Senator Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona wrote on X.
“$200 BILLION for a war of choice that Americans don’t want and that isn’t making us safer. This should be an absolute nonstarter,” Senator Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, wrote on Facebook. “The best way to end this war, protect our troops, save civilian lives, & rein in a lawless Administration is to cut off funding. I’m a hell no.”
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