WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Wednesday asked Congress for $87.6 billion in emergency supplemental funding to cover military operations related to Iran and a mix of other priorities. The package includes large Defense Department spending as well as aid for farmers, health responses and infrastructure projects.
The request did not appear to have broad Democratic support, which could be necessary for passage. Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) criticized the request, saying it “is not merely meant to pay for the president’s disastrous war, but an attempt to secure tens of billions of additional dollars for unrelated Pentagon priorities that should rightly be considered through the annual appropriations process.” Murray added she will review the request and ensure servicemembers are cared for, but will not “rubberstamp tens of billions more for this disastrous war of choice.”
White House budget director Russ Vought, in a letter outlining the supplemental request, said the funds would address urgent Defense Department needs, help the U.S. respond to an Ebola outbreak, and provide aid to American farmers. He also said Energy Department funding would support nuclear and other energy security requirements, primarily for the National Nuclear Security Administration. The package also seeks funds for restoration and construction projects around Washington, D.C., and to help modernize New York’s Penn Station.
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she will evaluate the request and convene a committee hearing so senators can hear directly from administration officials.
The administration’s supplemental request seeks, among other items:
– $67.15 billion for the Defense Department
– $11.1 billion for the Agriculture Department to aid farmers
– $3.36 billion for the State Department for diplomatic, security and global health programs
– $2.03 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard
– $1 billion for the Transportation Department to assist final design and construction of a modernized Penn Station in New York City
– $1 billion for the Labor Department to raise benefit levels for participants in certain Delphi-sponsored pension plans terminated after General Motors’ 2009 bankruptcy
– $767.5 million for the Energy Department, largely for NNSA and energy security needs
– $600 million for the General Services Administration’s federal buildings fund
– $500 million for the National Park Service to upgrade a seawall and improve the World War II Memorial
– $40.26 million for the FBI for its role in the Iran operation and other classified needs
– $36.18 million for the Treasury Department’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence
– $13.1 million for the Department of Homeland Security operations and support account tied to a classified request
The supplemental was described in a White House letter and reported by States Newsroom.
