What is the story about?
The White House has asked the US Congress on Wednesday to approve a $87.6 billion package, which would be mostly used for "urgent needs" connected with the
US war on Iran. Interestingly, the request came a day after Congress passed a resolution to limit President Donald Trump's powers to call military actions in Iran.
White House said that the bulk of this funding - $67 billion - would go to the US Department of Defence, with $21 bn put for munitions, $17.3 bn for operational costs and $12.1 bn for classified programmes. The other chunk of the money would be used in unrelated measures, including $11 bn for US farmers and $1.4 bn to tackle the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
However, the proposal would now face an uphill battle in the US Congress since the Iran conflict remains unpopular with voters as the country heads for midterm elections this November.
On Wednesday, the White House Office of Management and Budget sent the formal request for the funds in a letter addressed to the US Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson. "Most of this request will address urgent needs related to Operation Epic Fury (OEF)," says the letter, referring to the Iran war.
It is pertient to note that White House's request came at a time when Washington and Tehran are observing a ceasefire. However, the conflict, which has been raging on since February 28, has depleted Pentagon stockpiles. In light of this, Republicans in Congress have expressed scepticism about a peace plan that Trump agreed to last week with Iran.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump held a tense meeting with US Senate republicans during which he had a shouting match with Louisiana Senator Cassidy. The closed-door meeting was taking place shortly after Trump called off a signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill.
During his confrontation with the Republican senators, Trump complained about Tuesday's largely symbolic vote on a war powers resolution in the Republican-controlled Senate to block his war in Iran, ABC News reported.
The resolution was passed in the US Senate after four Republicans broke ranks and voted with the Democrats. It was the first resolution of its kind to clear Congress, instructing a president to end a military action since the War Powers Resolution of 1973 was enacted.
White House said that the bulk of this funding - $67 billion - would go to the US Department of Defence, with $21 bn put for munitions, $17.3 bn for operational costs and $12.1 bn for classified programmes. The other chunk of the money would be used in unrelated measures, including $11 bn for US farmers and $1.4 bn to tackle the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
However, the proposal would now face an uphill battle in the US Congress since the Iran conflict remains unpopular with voters as the country heads for midterm elections this November.
On Wednesday, the White House Office of Management and Budget sent the formal request for the funds in a letter addressed to the US Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson. "Most of this request will address urgent needs related to Operation Epic Fury (OEF)," says the letter, referring to the Iran war.
The timing of it all
It is pertient to note that White House's request came at a time when Washington and Tehran are observing a ceasefire. However, the conflict, which has been raging on since February 28, has depleted Pentagon stockpiles. In light of this, Republicans in Congress have expressed scepticism about a peace plan that Trump agreed to last week with Iran.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump held a tense meeting with US Senate republicans during which he had a shouting match with Louisiana Senator Cassidy. The closed-door meeting was taking place shortly after Trump called off a signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill.
During his confrontation with the Republican senators, Trump complained about Tuesday's largely symbolic vote on a war powers resolution in the Republican-controlled Senate to block his war in Iran, ABC News reported.
The resolution was passed in the US Senate after four Republicans broke ranks and voted with the Democrats. It was the first resolution of its kind to clear Congress, instructing a president to end a military action since the War Powers Resolution of 1973 was enacted.
