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US Treasury: $200B Iran war supplemental requested; first 6 days cost $11B — 'plenty of money to fund this war'

·Washington DC

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on NBC's Meet the Press that the US military is requesting $200 billion in supplemental Congress funding for the Iran war, while assuring 'we have plenty of money to fund this war.' The request faces opposition from Democrats and some Republicans. Administration officials told lawmakers the first six days of the war cost more than $11 billion — on pace to exceed both the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts in cost. Bessent ruled out tax increases, dismissing the suggestion as 'ridiculous.'

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke on NBC News 'Meet the Press' on Day 23. KEY STATEMENTS: 'We have plenty of money to fund this war. This is supplemental. President Trump has built up the military, as he did in his first term, as he is now doing in his second term, and he wants to make sure that the military is well supplied going forward.' On tax increases: 'Ridiculous... not at all under consideration.' FUNDING FIGURES: - First 6 days of war: >$11 billion (administration officials to lawmakers) - Supplemental request: $200 billion (faces Congressional opposition) - Request not yet formally sent by Trump; number 'could change' - Opposition: Democrats + some Republicans question need after large 2025 defense appropriations Secretary of Defense Hegseth last week said extra money needed 'to ensure that we're properly funded for what's been done, for what we may have to do in the future.' SIGNIFICANCE: At $11B per 6 days, the projected monthly cost exceeds $55B — surpassing peak monthly burn rates from both Iraq (2007) and Afghanistan. The $200B supplemental request is a major domestic political battleground. Congressional opposition signals the war's fiscal sustainability is becoming a political constraint on US military options.
bessentwar-funding200bsupplementalcongresseconomicday23

Actor responses

USSUPPORTINGECONOMIC

Bessent (NBC): 'We have plenty of money to fund this war.' Requesting $200B supplemental from Congress. First 6 days cost >$11B. No tax increases — 'ridiculous.' Trump wants military 'well supplied going forward.'

NATO / UKNEUTRALECONOMIC

Congressional opposition to $200B from Democrats and some Republicans signals domestic political limits on US war spending. European allies have not committed proportionate funding. Netanyahu's coalition appeal carries an implicit fiscal dimension as well as military.

Sources

T1Treasury Secretary Bessent on NBC Meet the Press — $200B supplemental, $11B first 6 days95% reliability