House Republicans are pursuing a $95 billion budget proposal, a Republican-only measure intended to fund military operations and other White House priorities, including initiatives favored by former President Donald Trump. The strategy, spearheaded by House Speaker Mike Johnson, faces internal party divisions and skepticism regarding its prospects in the Senate.
The package allocates $60 billion for the Pentagon and $13 billion for other national security needs. It also includes $12 billion for farmers impacted by tariffs and $10 billion for voting law changes aligned with Trump's SAVE America Act, which mandates proof of citizenship for voting.
Republicans are employing the budget reconciliation process, which allows for passage with a simple majority, thereby circumventing a potential filibuster in the Senate. This process was previously used by Republicans to pass tax legislation and fund the Department of Homeland Security.
Conservative members of the Republican caucus have expressed concern over the lack of offsetting budget cuts within the proposal. However, leadership is pushing forward, viewing this go-it-alone approach as the most viable path to advance Trump's agenda through a divided Congress.
Democrats have criticized the proposal, arguing that the funds could be better allocated to domestic needs, such as lowering costs for Americans. "Republicans plan to spend tens of billions of dollars on Trump’s failed war in Iran," stated Rep. Pete Aguilar, chairman of the House Democratic caucus. "Think about what we could spend with these resources instead."
The United States has been engaged in military strikes in Iran without a formal authorization of force from Congress. A recent AP-NORC poll indicates that a majority of Americans disapprove of the current Iran strategy.
The budget battle coincides with heightened military casualties. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth informed senators that the Pentagon is experiencing financial shortages, despite a substantial one-time allotment received last year. The proposal aims to ensure military readiness and pay for service members.
Even if the House approves the budget resolution, its path through the Senate remains uncertain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed a noncommittal stance, noting that the package also divides his own Republican majority. Some senators favor increased military funding, while others insist on offsetting cuts.
Thune's immediate focus is on preventing a government shutdown by seeking approval for a stopgap funding measure. He has indicated that, if necessary, the House's budget resolution could be used as leverage to fund the government later in the fall, particularly if a continuing resolution is not agreed upon before the current funds expire on September 30.
Furthermore, Thune has encountered disagreements with Trump regarding the SAVE America Act. The proposed proof-of-citizenship requirement for voting, while popular with some of Trump's supporters, lacks sufficient backing among Senate Republicans for passage. Experts caution that such measures could potentially hinder eligible Americans from casting ballots, as a significant portion of U.S. citizens do not have readily accessible proof of citizenship, such as a passport.