The House Republicans advanced a $95bn bill to fund the war with Iran and provide aid to farmers, marking a major budget move that also targets voting restrictions. In a near party-line vote of 216-214, the Republican-controlled chamber passed a budget resolution paving the way for a reconciliation bill that bypasses the Democratic filibuster in the Senate.
Key Spending Allocations in the Budget Resolution
The resolution authorizes three key committees to propose spending changes totaling $95bn. The armed services committee gets $60bn for military operations through 2036, while the intelligence committee receives $13bn. Together, $73bn is expected to go toward the Iran conflict. The agriculture committee is allocated $12bn for farmers hit by global trade disruptions and tariffs. The House administration committee gets $10bn to pursue the Save America Act, which would ban mail-in ballots and impose stricter voter ID requirements.
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| Committee | Allocated Spending | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Services | $60bn | Military operations against Iran |
| Intelligence | $13bn | Intelligence activities related to Iran |
| Agriculture | $12bn | Aid to farmers affected by tariffs and global conflict |
| House Administration | $10bn | Voting restrictions under Save America Act |
Political Implications and Opposition
Two Republicans—Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky—joined Democrat-aligned independent Kevin Kiley in opposing the measure. The reconciliation bill process allows passage with a simple majority in the Senate, bypassing the filibuster. The Trump administration had requested approximately $88bn in supplemental funding, with the majority for defense. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate that the Iran conflict had already cost $37.5bn.
Impact on Farmers and Trade
The $12bn for the agriculture committee is expected to offset losses from Trump’s tariff regime on major trading partners and the global effects of the conflict with Iran. This package aims to stabilize rural economies that have been hit hard by trade tensions and rising input costs.
Key Takeaways
- The $95bn bill funds the Iran war primarily, with $73bn for military and intelligence operations.
- Farmers receive $12bn in aid to counter tariff and conflict-related disruptions.
- The bill includes a long-shot attempt to impose nationwide voting restrictions via the Save America Act.
- Reconciliation rules allow the bill to pass the Senate with a simple majority.
- The vote was nearly party-line, with two GOP defectors and one independent opposing.
FAQ
What is the $95bn bill about?
The bill, advanced by House Republicans, funds the ongoing war with Iran and provides $12bn in aid to farmers. It also allocates $10bn to push voting restrictions under the Save America Act, which would ban mail-in ballots and require strict voter ID.
How will the bill pass the Senate?
The budget resolution sets up a reconciliation bill, which can pass the Senate with a simple majority (51 votes) instead of the usual 60-vote filibuster threshold. This allows Republicans to advance the bill without Democratic support, though internal party unity remains a challenge.
Why are some Republicans opposing the bill?
Two Republicans—Warren Davidson and Thomas Massie—joined all Democrats in opposition. Their concerns likely include the massive deficit spending, the ongoing war cost, and the inclusion of voting restrictions. The vote was 216-214, highlighting narrow GOP margins.