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The Department of War is asking lawmakers for tens of billions in additional funding to cover Iran war expenses, replenish munitions and address other budget pressures, according to reports.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Department of War is reportedly seeking $80 billion in additional funding as military operations tied to the Iran conflict place growing pressure on the Pentagon’s budget, munitions stockpiles and readiness planning.
Deputy War Secretary Stephen Feinberg has told lawmakers in recent calls that the department needs more money to sustain operations related to the Iran war and cover other expenses, people familiar with the discussions told The Wall Street Journal.
The request has not yet been formally sent to Capitol Hill. Any supplemental spending package would first need approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Congress has been asking the Trump administration for a detailed accounting of the war’s costs since the conflict began Feb. 28. Lawmakers in both parties have raised questions about how quickly U.S. weapons inventories are being depleted and whether the ongoing operation could affect military preparedness for other global threats.
Pentagon officials have warned that the funding strain could begin affecting military operations as soon as this summer if Congress does not approve additional wartime spending, according to the Journal.
Military leaders have also cautioned that training exercises and other priorities may need to be scaled back because of costs connected to the Iran conflict and troop deployments along the southern border.
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 budget is roughly $1 trillion, but officials say supplemental funding is needed for ship operations, personnel expenses and replacing munitions used during the conflict.
The broader package could also include funding outside the defense budget, including disaster relief and farm assistance.
The request comes as Congress debates both the cost of the Iran war and the legal authority behind it. Some Democrats have argued that Congress should not approve additional funding unless lawmakers first formally authorize the military operation.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said this week that a supplemental spending package does not have enough votes to pass the Senate under normal procedures.
Resistance is not limited to Democrats. The New York Times reported Friday that some Republicans have also questioned whether Congress can assemble enough support for a major Pentagon funding increase.
Senate Republican leaders have discussed using the budget reconciliation process, which would allow a spending measure to pass with a simple majority.
Budget concerns have been building for weeks. In late May, CNN reported that military officials were already warning lawmakers about financial pressure from the war.
Navy and Army leaders have cited potential effects on training, maintenance and recruiting programs as money is redirected to support current operations.
CNN also reported that earlier Pentagon estimates placed the cost of the war at about $29 billion, though officials acknowledged the final cost would likely be much higher.
The $80 billion figure reflects a broader assessment of wartime needs and related expenses as the Trump administration seeks to maintain military operations while replenishing the resources used during months of conflict.
The debate now moves to Congress, where lawmakers must decide whether to approve a large supplemental package, demand more information from the administration or attach conditions related to war authorization and future military spending.
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