WASHINGTON – House Speaker Mike Johnson is set to advance a Republican-only budget proposal valued at $95 billion on Wednesday. This initiative aims to fund the ongoing military efforts in Iran and other key White House priorities, despite facing significant opposition from Democrats. This legislative push comes as Republicans seek to solidify their stance ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
The proposal has incited division among House Republicans, particularly among conservatives who express concerns regarding the absence of any offsetting budget cuts. Nevertheless, GOP leadership is determined to proceed, viewing this unilateral approach as a viable strategy to promote President Donald Trump’s agenda amid a divided Congress, despite considerable skepticism in the Senate.
Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, the chairman of the Budget Committee, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Just bullets and bombs to finish the job.” In contrast, Democrats argue that these funds should be redirected towards domestic needs, particularly initiatives to alleviate financial burdens on American families.
Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, chairman of the House Democratic caucus, criticized the GOP’s plan, stating, “Republicans plan to spend tens of billions of dollars on Trump’s failed war in Iran. Think about what we could spend with these resources instead.” This reflects a broader sentiment among the public, as recent polling data from AP-NORC indicates that many Americans disapprove of Trump’s military strategy regarding Iran.
As the budget negotiations unfold, the context is further complicated by the realities of military casualties; the recent dignified transfer of four service members killed in the Middle East brings the total to 18. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that the Pentagon is experiencing a financial crunch, despite a $150 billion one-time funding boost approved last year.
Even if the House manages to move the budget resolution forward, uncertainties loom large in the Senate. The proposed package allocates $60 billion for the Pentagon, $13 billion for other national security needs, $12 billion to support farmers affected by tariffs, and $10 billion aimed at changes to voting laws aligned with the SAVE America Act, a key priority for Trump.
The reconciliation process, a once-rare budget tool, has become the norm in a split Congress, allowing the approval of measures with a simple majority vote. This strategy enables Republicans to circumvent potential filibusters that could stall or derail the budget. Johnson has used this approach previously to pass significant legislation, including Trump’s tax cuts and funding for Homeland Security.
Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, the Republican chairman of the Armed Services Committee, defended the necessity of the proposed funds, asserting, “No matter how you feel about current events, these funds are necessary to ensure our fighting forces remain ready, our troops are paid, and our nation is safe.” However, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries countered, stating, “Republicans have literally ripped food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors, and veterans to sustain the Trump war machine.”
This marks the third iteration of the GOP’s reliance on reconciliation, dubbed version 3.0. If the House approves the budget resolution, it will move to the Senate, where a grueling process of amendment consideration is expected—something many senators would prefer to avoid in an election year.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not committed to supporting the House’s budget proposal, which has also divided some Senate Republicans. Some senators advocate for increased military funding, while others demand that costs be offset with cuts elsewhere. Thune’s current priority is to avert another government shutdown and he is focused on securing a continuing resolution for routine government funding before the summer recess.
If the Senate cannot reach an agreement on government funding, Thune has indicated he might hold onto the House’s budget resolution for later use as leverage to push through funding, aiming to prevent a federal shutdown when current funds expire on September 30.
Additionally, Thune has had disagreements with Trump regarding the SAVE America Act, which mandates proof of citizenship for voting. While this measure enjoys support from Trump’s base, it lacks sufficient backing among Senate Republicans for passage and poses potential barriers for eligible voters, as nearly 21.3 million Americans may not have readily available proof of citizenship according to estimates.
