Republican senators have expressed dissatisfaction with how the Trump administration presented its emergency request for $70 billion in defense spending related to the Iran conflict. The lawmakers say the Pentagon must provide a clearer explanation of its military strategy before they can support the funding.
The criticism emerged after senators attended a briefing with the Vice President and Pentagon officials about the supplemental funding request. Even members of the president's own party, who traditionally back defense spending increases, have raised concerns about both the size of the request and how the money would be used.
The U.S.-Israel war on Iran, which launched in February, has already cost tens of billions of dollars. Since the operation began, hundreds of U.S. service members have been wounded and 18 have been killed. A tentative peace deal fractured in recent weeks, and the conflict continues as Trump approaches the November midterm elections, where the war has become a political issue.
Senators indicated they need more detailed information about the Pentagon's strategic goals in Iran and a clearer timeline for military operations before they can justify the spending to their constituents. The bipartisan concern suggests the administration may face difficulty getting quick approval of the funding package, even with Republican control of the Senate.
Democrats have been more vocal in their opposition. Senator Elizabeth Warren called Republicans "gelatinous blobs" who have "had their spines surgically removed," arguing they have surrendered Congress's constitutional authority to the president. Senator Chris Van Hollen introduced a war powers resolution directing Trump to withdraw military forces from Iran without explicit congressional approval, saying "ultimately, Congress will have to turn off the funding spigot for this war" and pledging he would "not vote for a dime for this illegal war."
Congress has already attempted to rein in Trump's military actions. The House passed a war powers resolution directing withdrawal from Iran on a 214-208 vote, with four Republicans joining all Democrats in support. However, the Senate resolution failed 49-50. An earlier Senate resolution passed in June, but it remains unclear how recent votes will proceed.
The war remains deeply unpopular with American voters. According to a Washington Post-Ipsos poll, only 29 percent of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the Iran situation, while 69 percent disapprove.
Van Hollen said Democrats should continue pressing for votes on the war powers resolution to hold Republican senators accountable. "I would rather see Republicans assert their constitutional duties and help us end the war now," he said, adding that Republican senators may eventually hear from their constituents on the matter.