The U.S. Department of Defense is seeking a $200 billion appropriation primarily to rapidly replenish weapons stocks depleted during recent conflicts, according to a senior administration official. U.S. and Israeli forces have struck thousands of targets in the past three weeks. This $200 billion would far exceed current spending on airstrikes.
The White House has not finalized the specific amount it will request from Congress. Some administration officials are skeptical that the full amount will be approved, and the Pentagon has presented several different figures over the past two weeks.
Congress Braces for Political Battle
The funding request is expected to ignite a significant confrontation in Congress. Democrats have been highly critical of the conflict, and public support remains low. Republicans are supportive in principle of replenishment, but it is unclear how they will clear the 60-vote threshold in the Senate.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has also pushed to include funding for intelligence agencies in the package.
Even before the conflict began, President Trump had proposed a $1.5 trillion defense budget, far exceeding the previous year’s level. The White House Office of Management and Budget had already noted that figure was too high at the time.
Economic Fallout of War Already Evident
The economic ripple effects of the conflict have begun to impact ordinary citizens. Crude oil prices surged to nearly $120 a barrel for several days this month after U.S. and Israeli forces struck Iran, before falling back to around $100. While down from the peak, this is still well above the roughly $70 price before the conflict began.