Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) worked to justify the Pentagon’s move to seek an additional $200 billion to fund President Donald Trump’s war in Iran while appearing Monday on Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show.”
The Indiana senator claimed the request for more military funding directly aligns with the president’s so-called “America First” policy, which prioritizes U.S. economic interests and border security over globalist initiatives.
Reports about the Pentagon’s $200 billion request sparked concern from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers last week.
After Fox News hosts questioned Banks over the Pentagon’s request to the White House, the senator stood firm, saying that despite the funding from taxpayers carrying a “big price tag,” the finances would “be spent on America First priorities.”
“It’s a lot of money, but it’s going right into rebuilding our stockpiles, our own munitions. It’s in America’s best interest that we re-shore all of these defense manufacturing jobs in the United States of America, and make munitions and weapons at home rather than rely on China and other countries around the world,” Banks said.
Arguing that the “$200 billion is going to go to America First priorities that are good for what we’re trying to do to take out terrorists in Iran,” he continued, “It’s good if we ever — hopefully — to deter a war with China over Taiwan and what not.”