House Republicans Unveil $95 Billion Budget Plan for Defense and Election Reform

House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, have unveiled a $95 billion budget framework that seeks to fund military operations in Iran, provide aid to farmers, and tighten election laws. The package, revealed on July 15, 2026, aims to pass using reconciliation to avoid Democratic votes. Source: CNN

What's included

• $73 billion for defense and intelligence, including operations related to the conflict with Iran (Operation Epic Fury). This falls short of the $350 billion Trump requested for defense overall. Source: Infobae
• $12 billion in agricultural aid to support farmers affected by Trump's trade war. Source: Diario Libre
• $10 billion for election security grants tied to the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID at polls. Source: CNN

The framework is the third reconciliation package this Congress, following tax cuts and homeland security funding. It must pass both chambers by simple majority, but first needs approval in committee and floor votes.

Internal opposition

The plan faces criticism from within the Republican Party for not offsetting new spending with cuts elsewhere, adding to the national deficit. Representative Warren Davidson called it "born dead" on X, while Nancy Mace criticized the lack of measures to reduce living costs. Source: Diario Libre Sources indicate that efforts to find spending offsets failed due to lack of political support. Source: CNN The bill also faces uncertainty in the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune warned that offsets via healthcare cuts could enable Democratic amendments. Source: CNN