GOP Rep Boebert Breaks With Republicans on Additional Funding for Iran War: 'We Need America First Policies'

Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert has publicly broken with the president and members of her party over proposals to approve up to $200 billion in additional funding for the U.S. war effort in Iran, saying she will oppose any such measure and urging a shift toward domestic priorities.

"I am a no. I've already told leadership. I am a no on any war supplementals," Boebert told CNN. "I am so tired of spending money elsewhere... We need America First policies right now, and that? I'm not doing that." She added that constituents in her home state of Colorado are struggling economically, arguing federal resources should be directed domestically.

The Pentagon is expected to request more than $200 billion from Congress to sustain military operations, with early estimates indicating the first week of the conflict alone cost roughly $11 billion, as CNN reports. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the potential funding, stating that "it takes money to kill bad guys" and signaling that the administration would seek congressional approval.

Boebert's stance places her at odds with the president, who has described the potential funding as "a small price to pay to make sure that we stay tippy-top," and highlights emerging divisions within the Republican Party. While Boebert remains one of the few GOP lawmakers to categorically reject additional funding, skepticism is spreading among both conservative and centrist Republicans.

Several lawmakers have raised concerns about the scale of the proposed spending and the lack of a clearly defined strategy. Rep. Chip Roy told CNN that he questions the long-term objectives:

"What are we doing? We're talking about boots on the ground. We're talking about that kind of extended activity. Now we're in a whole 'nother zip code. They got a whole lot more briefing and a whole lot more explaining to do on how we're going to pay for it and what's the mission here?"

Others have proposed conditions for support. Rep. Scott Perry said Iran should bear the financial burden, while some fiscal conservatives have called for spending offsets or greater accountability from the Pentagon, including passing a full audit before approving additional funds.

Boebert's comments follow similar criticism from former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who earlier this month opposed a then-rumored $100 billion supplemental package. Greene argued that prioritizing foreign military spending over domestic programs undermines the "America First" agenda, writing that lawmakers were demanding "hard earned taxpayer dollars" for war while failing to fund homeland security.