WASHINGTON — The Trump administration asked Congress Wednesday for $87.6 billion in emergency supplemental funding to cover military operations related to Iran and a range of other government needs.
The request faces skepticism from many Democrats, who would likely need to back any emergency bill for it to pass. Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said the package appears to do more than pay for the administration’s military actions, adding that it also seeks “tens of billions of additional dollars for unrelated Pentagon priorities” that should go through the normal annual appropriations process. Murray said she will review the request and ensure servicemembers are supported, but that she will not automatically approve what she described as funding for “a disastrous war of choice.”
White House budget director Russ Vought, in a letter to congressional leaders, framed the supplemental as addressing “urgent needs” across the federal government. In addition to defense costs, Vought said the request would fund U.S. assistance for an Ebola outbreak response, support American farmers, and meet energy and nuclear security requirements through the National Nuclear Security Administration. He also cited funding for domestic restoration and construction projects around Washington, D.C., and a contribution toward modernizing New York’s Penn Station.
Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she will evaluate the administration’s supplemental request and plans to hold an Appropriations Committee hearing so senators can question relevant administration officials directly.
The request breaks down roughly as follows:
– $67.15 billion for the Department of Defense
– $11.1 billion for the Department of Agriculture to provide aid to 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 Department of Transportation to help design and construct a modernized Penn Station in New York City
– $1 billion for the Department of Labor to raise benefit levels for participants in certain pension plans tied to Delphi Corporation that were ended after General Motors’ 2009 bankruptcy
– $767.5 million for the Department of Energy, primarily to support National Nuclear Security Administration requirements
– $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 related to its role in the Iran operations 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’s operations and support account associated with a classified request
Administration officials argue the package bundles a mix of immediate military and security needs with domestic priorities that, they say, require emergency treatment. Critics contend many of the items — especially large additional defense appropriations — should be debated through the regular budget and appropriations process rather than included in a supplemental request tied to military action.
Congressional leaders are expected to review the proposal, hold hearings, and debate which pieces, if any, to approve as standalone emergency funding or as part of a larger supplemental measure.
