Republican Lawmakers Support Trump's Plan to Finance War on Iran

SadaNews - The Republican-controlled Budget Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives approved a $95 billion budget plan late Thursday night, which meets President Donald Trump's demands for new defense funding for the war on Iran, aid for farmers, and a comprehensive reform of voting conditions ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November.

The committee's approval paves the way for a vote on the plan in the full House soon, potentially as early as next week, according to Reuters.

Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, a Republican from Texas, told his fellow committee members who approved the plan: "We are not going to get any help from our Democratic colleagues on what I believe are... critical issues."

Democrats criticize the measure for not addressing the rising prices of gasoline, food, and other products, which voters say are their top concern. House Republican leaders hope to pass the plan, but it's unclear whether their slim majority will achieve that.

Republican lawmakers say the defense-related portion aims to help finance the war on Iran, replenish U.S. military stockpiles depleted due to the conflict in the Middle East, and enhance military readiness.

The measure would also authorize spending legislation to assist U.S. farmers struggling with rising fuel and fertilizer costs due to the war. It also aims to allocate funds to help implement Trump's voter ID law, which requires voters to show identification at polling places to prove they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote, known as the "American Rescue Act."