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  "path": "/post/207960/democrats-reject-pentagon-request-billions-iran-war",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-19T14:08:07.000Z",
  "site": "https://newrepublic.com",
  "tags": [
    "Breaking News",
    "Pentagon",
    "Department of Defense",
    "Iran",
    "iran war",
    "United States",
    "Politics",
    "Democrats",
    "Democratic Party",
    "Yassamin Ansari",
    "Chris Van Hollen",
    "Ruben Gallego",
    "reported",
    "pointed out",
    "wrote",
    "request to Congress",
    "defended",
    "ground troops"
  ],
  "textContent": "The Trump administration is requesting more than $200 billion to fund the war with Iran, and Democrats are outraged.\n\n_The Washington Post_ reported Wednesday night that the Department of Defense had asked the White House for the hefty sum. Reactions were swift and negative. On X, Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego pointed out the Iraq War of the early 2000s was less expensive.\n\n“At the height of combat the Iraq War cost around $140 Billion per year,” Gallego posted. “If the Pentagon is asking for $200 billion they are asking for a long war. The answer is a simple no.”\n\nSenator Chris Van Hollen was more blunt.\n\n“This should be an absolute nonstarter,” Van Hollen wrote. “The best way to end this war, protect our troops, save civilian lives, and rein in a lawless administration is to cut off funding. I’m a hell no.”\n\nThe request would come on top of President Trump’s request to Congress in January, before the war, to boost the defense budget from $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, a record high.* And the first six days of the Iran war cost taxpayers more than $11.3 billion. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth defended the additional $200 billion to reporters Thursday, saying that it “takes money to kill bad guys.”\n\n“So we’re going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that we’re properly funded for what’s been done, for what we may have to do in the future, ensure that our ammunition—everything’s refilled, and not just refilled, but above and beyond,” Hegseth said.\n\nThis budget request is not going to sail through Congress, especially if the administration deploys ground troops. Since most Democrats in the Senate oppose the additional funding, Republicans would have to use the budget reconciliation process to pass it. We’ll see if any vulnerable Republicans balk.\n\n_* This story has been updated with the correct defense budget request._",
  "title": "“Hell No”: Dems Brush Off Trump Request for Billions More on Iran War"
}