House Republicans to write $95bn bill to fund Iran war and aid farmers

GOP-controlled chamber paves way for reconciliation bill, while making long-shot attempt at new voting restrictions House Republicans on Wednesday agreed to begin the process of writing a $95bn bill to fund the war with Iran as well as provide new aid to farmers, while making a long-shot attempt to impose new restrictions on voting nationwide. In a virtually party-line 216-214, the Republican-controlled chamber passed a budget resolution that paves the way for the creation of a reconciliation bill, which can advance through the Senate under special rules that circumvent the Democratic filibuster and requires only a simple majority to pass. Two Republicans – Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, as well as Kevin Kiley, an independent of California who aligns with the GOP – joined all Democrats in opposing the measure. The resolution’s passage comes amid an intensification of the conflict with Iran, which Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, told the Senate on Tuesday had thus far cost $37.5bn. The Trump administration last month asked Congress to authorize approximately $88bn in supplemental funding, the majority of which – up to $67.1bn – will go to pay for the war