DeLauro Statement on Reports that the Pentagon Wants $200 Billion for War in Iran

WASHINGTON –House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) issued a statement after the Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is seeking $200 billion for President Trump’s war in Iran.

“With no clear objective, no apparent strategy, and no end in sight, the Trump Administration reportedly wants another $200 billion from American taxpayers to fund the war he chose to start.

“We are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis that is hurting Americans who were already living paycheck to paycheck. Nearly everything is more expensive and if this war is prolonged, the cost-of-living crisis will only worsen – from gas prices to groceries. The American people are overwhelmingly opposed to this war. They do not want more tax dollars to be spent on war in the Middle East. 

“If the Trump Administration wants this money, they should pay for it by reversing the trillions of dollars in tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations they enacted last year.

“This administration is not prioritizing the American people. President Trump called the affordability crisis a hoax, but we know that is not true. Job prospects are few and far between, prices keep climbing, and millions have already lost access to their healthcare because of Republican refusal to act.

“Democrats will continue fighting to bring down costs for working families. President Trump and Republicans can join us or ignore the priorities of the American people by spending billions on endless, deadly wars. The choice is theirs.”

###