House GOP advances $95 billion plan for Iran war and SAVE America Act

The House of Representatives has approved a Republican-proposed budget blueprint that allocates up to $95 billion for the Iran war, agricultural assistance, and components of President Trump's SAVE America Act. The budget resolution passed on Wednesday by a slim margin of 216 to 214 votes. All Democrats and two Republicans, along with an independent who caucuses with the GOP, voted against it. This move represents the latest attempt by Republicans to advance Mr. Trump's key policy objectives amid a breakdown in the bipartisan appropriations process. Democrats strongly oppose continued involvement in the Iran war and the president's proposed strict voting regulations. House Speaker Mike Johnson described the plan as the GOP's "best shot" to enact the SAVE America Act into law. The vote is the initial step in a party-line reconciliation process. The Senate must also approve the resolution, which directs relevant committees to draft the $95 billion package. Republicans are leveraging the reconciliation route, previously used for tax cuts and immigration enforcement, to overcome Democratic opposition in the Senate and pass the funding with a simple majority. The resolution tasks the House Armed Services Committee with increasing spending by up to $60 billion and the House Intelligence Committee by $13 billion. The House Agriculture Committee has a $12 billion limit, and the House Administration Committee a $10 billion cap. However, the plan encounters substantial obstacles in the Senate, where the SAVE America Act has stalled and lacks sufficient support. It remains uncertain if the voting regulation provisions, such as requiring proof of citizenship for registration and photo ID for voting, will comply with Senate reconciliation rules, which prohibit non-budgetary policies. Funding for the Iran war may also face resistance, as some GOP senators have recently voted to limit Mr. Trump's actions on Iran, particularly as the war proceeds without congressional authorization. Additionally, the absence of spending offset provisions frustrated some House conservatives.

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