Pentagon Demands $80 Billion to Avoid Summer Operations Shutdown

The Pentagon has warned lawmakers that it requires $80 billion in emergency funding to prevent the U.S. military from running out of operational money this summer.

Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg outlined the shortfall in phone calls to lawmakers this week.

The funds are necessary to cover the soaring costs of the war in Iran, as well as other unforeseen military bills.

Without the passage of a new wartime spending bill, military officials cautioned that the services would be forced to implement immediate cutbacks.

These reductions would directly impact training exercises and troop deployments along the U.S. southern border.

Spiraling War Costs

The Trump administration has faced increasing pressure from lawmakers to provide a comprehensive financial accounting of the conflict with Iran, which commenced on February 28.

In mid-May, the Pentagon estimated the war’s cost at $29 billion, though officials acknowledge the current figure is likely much higher.

The U.S. military has also absorbed the financial impact of multiple simultaneous operations this year.

These include the attack on Venezuela that led to the capture of the country’s leader, alongside sustained maritime strikes targeting suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Depleted Munitions

A primary concern on Capitol Hill centers on the rapid depletion of the U.S. weapons stockpile.

Feinberg specified that a portion of the $80 billion request would be directed toward replenishing munitions, as well as covering personnel pay and ship operations.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth raised the issue of defense funding directly with senior Republican senators during meetings at the Capitol this week.

Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, who met with Hegseth, confirmed the urgency of the supply deficit.

“There’s been a draw down, as you know, of weaponry. We need to make sure that that’s refilled,” Barrasso said.