The Pentagon’s massive funding request to pay some of the costs of the Iran war is going to be a hard sell for Senate Democrats, and a key issue buried deep in the multibillion-dollar request could divide Republicans. Congress received the nearly $88 billion package Wednesday afternoon after months of speculation about whether it would ever come, and exactly how much it would cost.The current price tag is drastically lower than earlier estimates, which project the package could reach as high as $200 billion. But after roughly four months and a tenuous peace deal in place, Democrats appear unwilling to support the funding that would replenish munitions, despite sweeteners that appear geared toward attracting their support. CLOSED-DOOR OUTBURST TURNS INTO VICTORY FOR TRUMP’S IRAN NEGOTIATIONSSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, speaks at a news conference following Senate Democrat policy luncheons at the U.S.
Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 23, 2026.(Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg)"It seems designed to repel Democratic votes," Sen.
Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said."They’re clearly not trying to pass this."Those sweeteners, which include $11 billion in aid for farmers and $1.4 billion to fight the Ebola outbreak in Africa, didn’t sway Murphy, who charged that the farm assistance in particular was a "war cost." The package isn’t getting any love from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., either, who accused President Donald Trump of "asking taxpayers to clean up his messes." "After dragging America into a reckless war, he now wants Congress to hand him tens of billions more to paper over the damage — while families are still paying higher prices," Schumer said on X.
"We should be lowering costs for the American people, not writing another blank check for Trump."Sen.Josh Hawley, R-Mo., wasn’t surprised that Senate Democrats appeared ready to bat down the package, which will need at least 60 votes to pass in the Senate, ar...