Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration’s war in Iran is on track to exceed $25 billion this week. A new analysis from the Center for American Progress highlights the trade-offs of directing federal resources toward a costly foreign conflict instead of investments that could lower costs and expand opportunity for American families.
CAP finds that $25 billion could instead cover more than 3 million Americans through Medicaid, provide free school lunches to nearly 30 million children, deliver housing assistance to more than 3 million people, fund child care for more than 1.7 million children, or cover community college tuition for more than 2.8 million Americans.
The administration’s reported $200 billion supplemental request would represent an even larger trade-off. That funding could instead provide Medicaid coverage to nearly 25 million Americans, ensure free school meals for every child in the United States, offer housing assistance to all eligible households under Section 8, fund child care for more than 14 million children, or support tuition-free community college for nearly 23 million Americans.
“Every new dollar we give to this war is a dollar we choose not to spend helping families afford basic necessities,” said Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at CAP and author of the analysis. “These choices have real consequences for people struggling with the costs of health care, housing, child care, and education.”
CAP’s analysis highlights:
- The war is already enormously costly, and the toll is growing. The conflict cost $11.3 billion in its first six days. CAP estimates it has likely already surpassed $20 billion and will likely exceed $25 billion this week. The White House is expected to seek more than $200 billion in supplemental funding, dramatically expanding the total cost of the war.
- Equivalent investments could significantly improve people’s lives. The analysis shows that the same funding could instead expand health coverage, lower food and housing costs, and make child care and education more affordable for millions of Americans.
- The trade-offs are particularly stark given recent Trump administration policies. The administration is seeking more than $200 billion in new war funding just months after enacting the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which is projected to leave 10 million more people without health insurance and cut food assistance for millions of Americans, including children, while delivering large tax cuts to the wealthiest households.
- Each bomb, missile, and interceptor carries a significant cost. CAP provides category-by-category estimates showing how spending on these weapons translates into forgone investments in health care, housing, child care, and community college.
Read the column: “By the End of the Week, the Trump Administration’s War in Iran Will Likely Have Cost $25 Billion: Here’s What the Same Sum Could Fund in the U.S.“ by Bobby Kogan
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Christian Unkenholz at [email protected].