Trump presses Thune to advance the $95B Iran-war budget package as Senate GOP says the votes aren't there
Majority Leader John Thune said he 'can't count to 50 right now' on the House-passed $95B budget resolution (~$73B for the Iran war, $12B farm aid, SAVE Act funds), which cleared the House 216-214. GOP senators are split between wanting more military money and demanding offsetting cuts, and vulnerable members fear funding an unpopular war before the midterms. Thune wants to resolve government funding before the Sept. 30 deadline first; Trump is pressing for faster action.
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Intra-GOP fracture: Thune openly resists Trump's demand as the party-line war-funding push stalls.
The Hill reports Trump publicly pressuring Thune while the leader concedes he lacks 50 votes and prioritizes averting a shutdown, highlighting Republican divisions and long odds for the reconciliation vehicle.