The Pentagon has requested an additional $200 billion (around S$256 billion) to support operations in Iran. Congress must approve any new funding, which makes the request likely to face scrutiny.
A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the request has been submitted to the White House. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not confirm the amount at a press conference on Thursday (19 March), saying it could change.
“It takes money to fight effectively,” Hegseth said. He added that the department will work with Congress to ensure it has sufficient funding.
Budget concerns and political reactions
The request is unusually high and comes on top of funds provided in last year’s tax cut legislation. Congress has not authorised the conflict, and lawmakers have expressed concern about the operation’s scale and strategy. The national debt has passed $39 trillion, further complicating the debate.
President Trump said the funding will address broader defence needs beyond Iran. Speaking from the Oval Office, he described the global situation as “very volatile” and called the emergency spending a “small price to pay” to maintain military readiness.
Republicans control both chambers, but many conservative members oppose large expenditures. Most Democrats are likely to oppose the request without detailed plans on the military’s objectives.
Congressional debate ahead
Rep. Ken Calvert, Republican chair of the House subcommittee overseeing defence spending, supports a supplemental bill to replenish munitions. “This conflict brings additional costs, but this is about national security,” he said.
Rep. Betty McCollum, the senior Democrat on the same subcommittee, criticised the administration for engaging in military action without congressional approval. She is seeking more information about previous allocations from Trump’s tax and spending cuts.
“I’m not writing blank cheques to the Department of Defence,” McCollum said.
The request will likely trigger intense debate in Congress. Approval would need bipartisan support. The Pentagon’s annual budget already exceeds $800 billion. Last year, it received roughly $150 billion through tax legislation for specific projects.
The Congressional Budget Office projects a $1.9 trillion federal deficit this year, before including any supplemental funding. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the situation is “dangerous” and stressed the need to fund defence adequately.
Some lawmakers welcome additional spending to replenish munitions and improve defence capabilities. Others emphasise domestic priorities such as healthcare. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, called the $200 billion request “outrageous.”
Republican leaders must decide whether to act alone or negotiate with Democrats, which could increase the total cost. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said talks with the White House will determine the exact amount.
“Ultimately, we will negotiate with the White House,” he said. “We are not at that stage yet.”
