Pentagon Blames Troop Deaths Disappearing From Site on ‘Data Disruption’

A House committee has approved a $95 billion budget plan aimed at funding the ongoing war against Iran and supporting the SAVE Act, a voter identification law. The measure, part of a broader effort known as "reconciliation 3.0," has drawn sharp internal divisions among Republicans, with concerns over its scale, cost, and timing just weeks before the midterm elections. The proposal includes substantial defense funding, economic aid for farmers, and measures to implement stricter voter ID requirements. The House GOP leadership announced plans to move forward with the reconciliation 3.0 bill, with a markup and vote in the Budget Committee scheduled for Thursday. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) confirmed that the process is underway, stating, “Reconciliation 3.0 is in process. There will be a markup this week.” However, the path to passage remains uncertain, as internal tensions continue to mount within the party. The proposed budget includes approximately $70 billion for defense-related expenses tied to the Iran war, a policy that has been widely criticized in public opinion polls. Many Republicans remain uneasy about the timing of the funding, arguing that it comes too soon before the midterms, when voters are likely to scrutinize the party's stance on foreign conflicts. Some lawmakers fear that the war funding could become a political liability, especially given the unpopularity of the conflict. The plan also allocates up to $12 billion in economic assistance to farmers and $10 billion to support the implementation of the SAVE Act, which requires voters to present proof of citizenship and photo ID when registering to vote. These additional provisions have sparked debate among party members, with some suggesting that the package should include more comprehensive defense funding to align with President Trump’s long-term vision of a $1.5 trillion military budget. President Trump has advocated for increased defense spending, proposing that $350 billion of the total $1.5 trillion be allocated through the budget reconciliation process. However, House Republicans have struggled to secure sufficient offsets to justify the spending, particularly due to resistance from swing-district members wary of politically sensitive cuts. Efforts to target government fraud as a means of reducing deficits have faced hurdles, as the Congressional Budget Office does not fully recognize these potential savings as deficit reduction. To navigate these challenges, House Republicans opted for a narrower approach, approving a budget resolution that allows for up to $95 billion in deficit spending without requiring specific offsets. This decision was made to avoid complicating the reconciliation process further, especially considering the risks associated with Senate opposition and the likelihood of Democratic amendments targeting key provisions. Senate GOP leaders have expressed caution about advancing the reconciliation 3.0 effort, citing the political risks involved. Senator John Thune, the Senate Majority Leader, questioned whether the benefits of the $95 billion package outweighed the potential backlash. He noted that securing bipartisan support, let alone 50 votes, would be difficult, and even if achieved, the package might face numerous amendments from Democrats seeking to challenge Republican positions on contentious issues. Some Republican senators, including Mike Rounds of South Dakota, have voiced concerns that the current defense funding levels are insufficient to meet President Trump’s goals. They argue that the package must include additional defense funding to fulfill the broader military budget plan. Meanwhile, others acknowledge the difficulty of passing such a large-scale initiative, particularly with the looming midterms and the potential for Democratic pushback. As the House moves toward finalizing the reconciliation 3.0 bill, the focus remains on navigating internal party dynamics and addressing the practical and political challenges of passing such a sweeping financial measure. The outcome of this effort will likely shape the trajectory of Republican priorities in the coming months.