House Adopts $95 Billion G.O.P. Budget for Iran War - The New York Ti…

House Approves $95 Billion Budget Resolution for Military Funding and Election Measures

House Republicans passed a $95 billion budget resolution on July 22, 2026, that would enable additional military spending, support for farmers, and new voting requirements. The 216-214 vote sent the measure to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain.

The resolution sets the stage for a reconciliation bill that could advance with a simple majority, providing up to $73 billion in additional military funding, $12 billion for agricultural programs, and $10 billion to implement identification and citizenship verification rules for voter registration. Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military operation against Iranian targets that began with strikes on February 28, 2026, and concluded with a ceasefire after 38 days, accounts for the largest share of the requested funds. The strikes focused on Iranian military facilities, and the operation produced a temporary halt in active hostilities.

All but two Republicans supported the measure. Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio voted against it, as did Representative Kevin Kiley of California, who caucuses with Republicans. Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington of Texas described the funding as necessary for “base-line battlefield readiness” and to supply “bullets and bombs to finish the job, and to come home safely and victoriously.” Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers of Alabama stated that the funds would keep forces ready, ensure troops are paid, and maintain national security regardless of views on current events.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York called the plan an “America Last Republican budget” that would allocate additional resources to Operation Epic Fury, which he described as a complete and total disaster for the American people. Republican supporters countered that the allocations address immediate operational needs for deployed forces.

The measure faces obstacles in the Senate. Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota indicated the chamber might hold the resolution while first addressing a stopgap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown at the end of September. He noted the possibility of using the House-passed resolution for that purpose if needed. Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker of Mississippi has said the plan does not provide enough for the Pentagon and has called for the full $1.5 trillion requested in the administration’s earlier budget submission. Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina have opposed including the voting provisions, known as the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for registration, tighten identification standards, and limit mail voting. Several Republican senators have questioned whether those provisions can remain in a reconciliation package under Senate rules that limit provisions to direct spending or revenue changes.

Murkowski also raised the question of congressional authorization during a July 21 hearing. She asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth whether funding votes alone could substitute for explicit authorization of the conflict. Hegseth said he would consult his legal team. The president has not requested formal authorization, and members of both parties have previously supported measures requiring it.

Internal Republican discussions before the House vote included objections from fiscal conservatives over the lack of offsetting spending reductions, from defense advocates seeking higher Pentagon totals, and from members in competitive districts concerned about timing ahead of midterms. Despite these reservations, the resolution advanced after negotiations tied the new spending to eventual inclusion of the voting measures in the reconciliation process.

The White House had sent an emergency funding request to Congress in June focused primarily on Pentagon needs. Republicans chose the reconciliation route because most Democrats have opposed additional allocations for the Iran operation. Senate rules generally require 60 votes for most spending legislation, making bipartisan support necessary outside reconciliation.

The House vote occurred without extended floor debate on the specifics of Operation Epic Fury. Supporters emphasized readiness and troop support, while opponents focused on cost, scope, and procedural concerns. The Senate’s next steps will determine whether the resolution proceeds as drafted or is altered to address competing priorities on defense levels and voting provisions.