Courtney Statement After President Trump Requests Billions to Pay for His War of Choice with Iran

June 24, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, released the following statement on President Trump’s $67.1 billion defense funding supplemental request to Congress, which is in addition to the President’s $1.5 trillion annual defense budget request. The majority of this defense funding request covers costs of the President’s war of choice with Iran. Within the $67.1 billion defense request and additional non-defense programs, the entire funding request related to the Iran war totals over $70 billion. “President Trump chose to launch this war, which cost the lives of 14 U.S. servicemembers, without ever explaining to the American people what imminent threat Iran posed to the United States or seeking a declaration of war or authority for use of force as required by the Constitution. After four months of war, the American people are left with nothing but higher energy costs and a massive bill,” Courtney said. “Congress cannot be piggy bank of taxpayer dollars to pay for a war that the American people overwhelmingly do not support. I will vote against this supplemental.” ### Issues : Defense & National Security