By Theodore Bunker | Friday, March 20, 2026
Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., stated that Congress will likely need to approve additional Pentagon funding for the ongoing conflict with Iran and may resort to budget reconciliation if Democrats continue opposing the Trump administration’s request.
During an interview on “Wake Up America” this week, Harris emphasized the necessity of moving a supplemental package to ensure military readiness while identifying cost-saving measures.
“We will have to look at how we’re going to do something like this,” Harris explained. “The Democrats have been so united in trying to stop everything this president has attempted that we may very well need to use reconciliation for any supplemental.”
Harris noted discussions about a potential “reconciliation package 2.0” and added, “We’re in a position where if we had to do something like that, perhaps we could.” He also urged Congress to seek savings elsewhere before approving new war expenditures.
“We’re continuing to find waste, fraud and abuse,” Harris said. “I think we’ll have to identify ways to put this together responsibly and make sure we finish the job.”
Harris’ remarks come as Capitol Hill grapples with the escalating costs of the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran, which the Pentagon began on February 28 under Operation Epic Fury.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed there is no set timeline for concluding the conflict and stated the Pentagon is seeking congressional approval to ensure adequate funding for both past and future operations.
Hegseth also indicated that the administration might request approximately $200 billion in additional funding, adding, “As far as $200 billion, I think that number could move.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., previously described a military supplemental related to Iran as “inevitable,” though he noted the House is awaiting formal transmission from the White House.
The debate intensifies as lawmakers remain split over President Trump’s war powers and the long-term financial implications of the conflict.
On March 5, the House narrowly rejected a resolution aimed at halting U.S. airstrikes against Iran, highlighting the GOP’s current cohesion in supporting military operations.
Meanwhile, the conflict has triggered energy market volatility. Oil prices have exceeded $100 per barrel following disruptions to Middle Eastern production and shipping routes, with the International Energy Agency reporting that damage to regional infrastructure and a near-stall in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz are straining global supply chains.
Harris acknowledged the economic pain these shifts cause but stressed continued military action is necessary. “Everybody’s feeling the pinch,” he said. “But it will be a short-term period here, hopefully, in order for a long-term solution.”
