Trump requests $88 billion from Congress for Iran war, Ebola outbreak and farmers aid 

The White House on Wednesday officially asked Congress for $87.6 billion in supplemental funding to pay for the Iran war, curtail the ongoing Ebola outbreak and provide aid to U.S. farmers, among other requests, according to a copy obtained by The Hill. 

In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought asked for $67 billion for the Defense Department, down from an expected $200 billion first floated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in March. 

But even with a smaller price tag, the bill will need some support from Democrats to pass in the Senate at a time when lawmakers in both parties are reluctant to authorize more spending amid the unpopular Middle East conflict. 

It also comes as the Trump administration is pushing for a massive $1.5 trillion defense budget, a more than a 40 percent bump from last year, and as Washington is negotiating with Iranian officials to end the Middle East conflict, fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and eventually do away with Tehran’s nuclear program. 

“I urge the Congress to take action on these important and urgent requests as soon as possible,” Vought wrote in a seven-page letter.

The long-awaited package includes $1.7 billion for DOD readiness, $17.3 billion for Operational Costs, $1.5 billion for fuel costs, $1.2 billion for administration priorities, $21 billion for munitions, $5.1 billion for cybersecurity and autonomy; $2.4 billion for drones, $800 million for National Guard support and $12.1 billion for other “classified” programs. 

Shortly after the supplemental’s release, Democratic lawmakers were already throwing cold water on its........

© The Hill