**House Passes $95 Billion Budget Proposal to Fund Iran War and Trump Priorities**
**WASHINGTON (AP)** — The House adopted a Republican-only $95 billion budget proposal Wednesday, a long-shot effort to fund the Iran war and other White House priorities over objections from Democrats and a few GOP holdouts in a final push before the midterm elections.
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### Key Details of the Budget Proposal
The $95 billion budget resolution includes:
– **$60 billion** for the Pentagon
– **$13 billion** for other national security needs
– **$12 billion** for farmers struggling under Trump’s tariffs
– **$10 billion** for voting law changes aligned with the SAVE America Act, including proof-of-citizenship requirements
The vote tally was **216-214**, with two Republicans and one independent joining Democrats in opposition.
> “Just bullets and bombs to finish the job,” said Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chairman of the Budget Committee.
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### Why the Proposal Is Controversial
House Republicans are relying on the **budget reconciliation process**, a tool that allows major legislation to pass with a simple majority, bypassing the Senate’s filibuster. This method was previously used for Trump’s tax cuts and recent Homeland Security funding.
However, Democrats and some Republicans criticized the lack of offsetting spending cuts. Conservative factions remain wary of increasing the national debt without corresponding reductions elsewhere.
Democrats argued the funds should be directed toward domestic priorities, especially efforts to reduce costs for American families.
> “Republicans plan to spend tens of billions of dollars on Trump’s failed war in Iran,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, chairman of the House Democratic caucus. “Think about what we could spend with these resources instead.”
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### Uncertainty in the Senate
While the bill advances in the House, its future in the Senate remains unclear. Senate Majority Leader **John Thune** has not committed to supporting the House package, citing concerns from both parties. Some Republicans want increased military funding, while others demand cost-cutting measures.
Thune’s immediate focus is avoiding another government shutdown. He is pushing for a **continuing resolution (CR)** to fund the government before the September 30 deadline. If negotiations stall, Thune has indicated he may use the House budget resolution as a fallback later in the fall.
The proposal also faces opposition over the **SAVE America Act**, which requires proof of citizenship for voting. Senate Republicans have shown limited support for the measure, and experts warn it could create barriers for eligible American voters.
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### FAQs
**Q: What is the $95 billion budget proposal for?**
A: The proposal aims to fund the Iran war, national security initiatives, support for farmers affected by tariffs, and voting law changes, including proof-of-citizenship requirements.
**Q: Why did the bill pass on a party-line vote?**
A: House Republicans used the budget reconciliation process, which allows legislation to pass with a simple majority, avoiding Democratic opposition and Senate filibusters.
**Q: Are there concerns about the budget proposal?**
A: Yes. Critics argue there are no offsetting spending cuts, which could add to the national debt. Democrats also oppose funding for foreign military actions while domestic needs remain underfunded.
**Q: What happens next if the Senate does not approve the measure?**
A: The bill faces an uncertain future. Senate Majority Leader John Thune prefers a short-term funding solution to prevent a government shutdown and may use the House resolution as leverage later in the year.
**Q: What is the SAVE America Act, and why is it controversial?**
A: The SAVE America Act requires proof of citizenship for voting. While popular among some Republican lawmakers, experts warn it could disenfranchise eligible voters and is already illegal under current federal law.
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### Conclusion
The House’s approval of a $95 billion budget resolution underscores the deep partisan divide over funding foreign military engagements versus domestic priorities. While the measure advances in the House, it faces significant hurdles in the Senate. With government funding set to expire at the end of September and midterm elections looming, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the U.S. avoids another shutdown and how the contentious budget debates unfold.
