[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  IRAN

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today to, once again, try to end 
President Trump's war of choice in Iran.
  We are nearly 5 months into this war, with no end in sight. President 
Trump and Pete Hegseth have spent at least $37.5 billion on a war that 
Americans overwhelmingly oppose. Americans are footing the bill with 
their tax dollars and at the pump, as higher prices continue.
  We have lost 18 American servicemembers, with hundreds more wounded. 
My heart is with the military families who are grieving the loss of a 
loved one.
  Now, after months of chaos, Secretary Hegseth wants Congress to sign 
off on nearly $70 billion for this illegal war--nearly $70 billion more 
of our money to fund a war that Americans did not choose. That is $70 
billion that we could be using to bring down the cost of housing and 
help folks get their foot in the door to buy their very first home. 
That is $70 billion that we could be using to help families afford 
childcare and allow parents to get back to work. And that is $70 
billion that we could be using to lower Americans' health insurance 
premiums, fund our rural hospitals, or put some of the damage from 
Republicans' cuts to Medicaid to rest--in other words, restore that 
money.
  Instead, this President wants nearly $70 billion for a war that is 
spiraling further out of control. That is his priority, not Americans' 
housing costs or insurance premiums, but rather a war across the globe 
that nobody asked for.
  Even worse, we are 5 months into this war, and this administration 
refuses to give us straight answers about when this conflict will end.
  It does not have to be this way. It is clear the only way to stop 
this war and find a political solution through diplomacy and tough 
negotiations is for Congress to force President Trump's hand. He 
started this war, and he is clearly incapable of ending it on his own.
  So on behalf of all of our constituents who are paying the price, I 
urge my Republican colleagues to join us in bringing an end to this war 
before another American life is lost.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island--Oregon. I am 
sorry. Please forgive me.

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