Iran conflict could be push GOP needs for 2nd 'big, beautiful bill'
Top House Republicans are eyeing a surge in military funding as the U.S. continues its joint operation with Israel against Iran, and some are arguing that a second "big, beautiful...
By Fox News · Fox News
Top House Republicans are eyeing a surge in military funding as the U.S. continues its joint operation with Israel against Iran, and some are arguing that a second "big, beautiful bill" is the vehicle to get it done. Republicans are discussing the possibility of supplemental funding to aid the U.S. effort as Iran continues to retaliate against allies in the region. Senior House GOP lawmakers told Fox News Digital that the resulting heightened national security environment means that Congress has a responsibility to ensure the Armed Forces are prepared for whatever threats may arise. At the same time, they're skeptical that Democrats will provide the votes necessary to pass such a funding bill through traditional means. "They are certainly not going to spend an additional dime on the military, on security, on any of the things that we care about," Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital of the opposing party. "The threats around the world have never been higher. They've never been greater. And we have to recapitalize after four just disastrous years of President Biden completely decimating our military." OPERATION EPIC FURY SURVIVES SENATE CHALLENGE AS REPUBLICANS CLOSE RANKS BEHIND TRUMP "So this conflict right now, and the future of our country and our Western values, have to be secured by additional defense spending, which can only happen in a reconciliation bill." Republicans passed a sweeping tax and policy bill last summer dubbed President Donald Trump's landmark One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. It was done via the budget reconciliation process, which allows the party in power to change broad swaths of fiscal law while sidelining the minority party — in this case, Democrats. It makes that possible by lowering the threshold for advancing legislation in the Senate from 60 votes to a simple majority, lining it up with the House. REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: GOP TARGETS AFFORDABILITY WITH RECONCILIATION 2.0 PLAN AHEAD OF MIDTERMS Hou…