Trump Administration Seeks Tens of Billions in Extra Pentagon Funding

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing CNN, the Trump administration is pressing Congress to approve additional Pentagon funding this summer as U.S. military operations against Iran continue to drain ammunition and cash, but several Republican lawmakers say the Defense Department has not clearly explained how the money would be used and are not yet convinced to back the plan. Pentagon officials this month briefed bipartisan House appropriations leaders in a closed-door session on the urgency of the request, but two people present said officials failed to provide meaningful detail when pressed, frustrating lawmakers from both parties. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has met with dozens of House members in recent days, and some key lawmakers were invited to Camp David, while Vice President JD Vance has lobbied Republican lawmakers in Congress to stress party unity. The Trump administration had earlier proposed a USD 1.5 trillion annual defense budget, including USD 350 billion in new funding, but House Republicans have so far put forward only a USD 95 billion package, with USD 60 billion for the Pentagon, USD 13 billion for intelligence agencies, and the rest for farm aid and election measures. Some Republicans questioned why the Defense Department is seeking more money so soon after receiving a large funding boost. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick said the department must explain its rationale after spending such a large sum in the short term. A Republican lawmaker who attended a nearly four-hour meeting at the Pentagon said the officials did not present a persuasive case. Lawmakers focused on defense warned that if Congress does not act soon, funds for the military's current operations could run out by mid-August.