- The US House approved a $95 billion budget plan that includes funding for the Iran war and provisions for the SAVE America Act in a narrow 216 to 214 vote.
- The budget plan allocates $73 billion for the armed forces and intelligence agencies, primarily to support operations related to the Iran war.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson described the measure as the GOP's 'best shot' to enact key elements of the SAVE America Act into law.
- The resolution directs various committees to draft legislation that could increase spending by up to $60 billion for the Armed Services and $13 billion for Intelligence.
- The Senate must also approve the resolution, which is part of a reconciliation process that allows Republicans to bypass Democratic opposition.
- The budget plan is seen as a critical legislative push for Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections, which will determine their majority in Congress.
- Democrats have expressed strong opposition to both the continuation of the Iran war and the voting regulations proposed in the SAVE America Act.
- Some conservatives in the House are frustrated that the plan does not include provisions to offset spending increases.
The US House of Representatives approved a $95 billion budget framework on Wednesday, with most funding earmarked for the Pentagon to support the ongoing war against Iran. The measure, which passed by a narrow 216-214 vote, allocates $73 billion for armed forces and intelligence agencies, $12 billion for farmers affected by trade policies, and $10 billion for election-related programs tied to President Trump's SAVE America Act.12345
House Speaker Mike Johnson described the resolution as the GOP's 'best shot' to enact significant parts of the SAVE America Act, emphasizing the need to secure elections and strengthen national security. However, the plan faces challenges in the Senate, where it has struggled to gain traction, and the voting regulation provisions may not survive the reconciliation process due to their non-budgetary nature.78
Democrats vehemently oppose the funding for the Iran war, with Representative Rosa DeLauro criticizing the measure as promoting 'aimless, expensive, and deadly wars in the Middle East.' The budget package represents a critical legislative effort for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections, which will determine their control of Congress.10
The resolution directs various committees to draft detailed legislation, aiming for Senate approval to bypass the usual 60-vote threshold. However, some conservatives expressed concern over the lack of provisions to offset spending increases, with Rep. Warren Davidson stating, 'A no-offset plan is dead on arrival.'11
“The budget blueprint passed 216-214 along party lines, with all Democrats and two Republicans opposing. It allocates $73 billion for military operations in Iran, $12 billion for farmers hit by Trump's trade war, and $10 billion for election security measures, but faces an uncertain future in the Senate.”
