Defense

Hegseth’s Defense-Spending Pitch Leaves House GOP Without a Clear Path

Republican demands greeted the Pentagon chief: “If you want my vote, you’d better replace that brigade in Poland,” said Rep. Don Bacon.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a meeting.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a classified briefing Wednesday for the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of House conservatives. Kevin Wolf/AP

By Joe Gould and Stephen Neukam

June 24, 2026 04:06 p.m.

Updated: June 24, 2026 05:44 p.m.

The Trump administration on Wednesday sent Congress an $87.6 billion emergency spending request, officially teeing up the fight over how to fund the Iran war and broader Pentagon needs as Republicans remain divided over defense spending.

The supplemental request calls for $67 billion for the Pentagon, including operational costs for Operation Epic Fury, rebuilding weapons stockpiles, readiness, fuel, drones and classified programs. It also includes billions for farmers, Ebola response, Coast Guard operations, Penn Station renovations in New York and construction projects in Washington.

The White House request, sent by budget director Russell Vought to House Speaker Mike Johnson, frames most of the funding as tied to Operation Epic Fury. Vought wrote that the war “massively” degraded Iran’s ability to project power.