McConnell’s absence could jeopardize Republicans’ defense spending agenda as the Iran war escalates

The absence of two key Senate Republicans has complicated the Trump administration’s ambitions to pass budget appropriations and increase defense spending, particularly as the war in Iran escalates and key midterm elections approach.

On Sunday, Sen. Mitch McConnell broke his weeks-long silence about his health, announcing he was hospitalized after a fall and was also treated for pneumonia. McConnell, who has not said when he will return to the Senate floor, is the chair of the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee, which drafts legislation for Pentagon funding.

His announcement followed the unexpected death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, who served as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the chair of the Budget Committee, after an aorta rupture.

To be sure, Graham’s sister Darline Graham Nordone will take the place of her brother in the Senate on Wednesday and serve the rest of his term, eliminating some uncertainty around the impact of his absence. However, McConnell’s continued absence has created ongoing doubt about Republicans’ efforts to actualize their spending goals.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has not passed a spending bill for the 2027 fiscal year, which includes a $1.15 trillion base for defense outlays. The Trump administration, with the goal of reaching a $1.5 trillion defense budget, is also pushing Congress to pass a $350 billion funding package through the reconciliation process, which can bypass a Senate........

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