July 22, 2026 - Download PDF Version

Congress is considering providing an additional $60 billion for the Pentagon, and $13 billion for intelligence activities to directly underwrite the costs of the U.S. war on Iran: a new $73 billion expenditure for weapons and war.

The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is illegal, unpopular and just plain wrong. The war has led to thousands of deaths and injuries in Iran, Lebanon, and surrounding countries, as well as the deaths of 18 U.S. troops to date. 

Both the House and Senate have passed resolutions calling for an end to the war. President Trump has blatantly ignored those calls while continuing U.S. strikes against Iran. The war violates both U.S. and international law.

And, the war has created costs here at home. Already, this administration’s policies have led to the loss of health care and food stamps (SNAP) for millions of Americans amidst an affordability crisis. Now, the war on Iran is causing even higher gas and food prices. A recent poll showed that even among the MAGA faithful, only one-third believe the war on Iran to be worth the costs.

Instead of providing an additional $73 billion for war on Iran, we could do ALL of the following:

• One year of free universal preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds ($35 billion/ year)
• Restore the food stamps program from Trump’s cuts, making benefits available again to 4 million people ($18.6 billion/ year)
• Provide rapid or permanent supportive housing to every person in a homeless shelter ($9.6 billion)
• Double funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect clean air and water ($8.8 billion).

Providing more money to the Pentagon at this time will prolong the war and continue to underfund programs that Americans need and deserve. With so many potential better uses for these funds, there is no excuse for their approval.