Reason

The Trump administration requested Epic Fury funds in June 2026 due to an urgent budget shortfall.

“Facing "an urgent budget shortfall," the Trump administration requested Epic Fury funds in June.”

Historically, using the power of the purse has proved the most effective way to compel a President to take actions regarding the use of U.S. military force overseas that he otherwise might not agree to, according to the Congressional Research Service.

“Historically, using the power of the purse has proved "the most effective way to compel a President to take actions regarding use of U.S. military force overseas that he otherwise might not agree to," the Congressional Research Service has noted.”

In 2011, President Barack Obama found enough loose change in the Pentagon budget to bomb Libya for seven months.

“In 2011, President Barack Obama found enough loose change in the Pentagon budget to bomb Libya for seven months, despite Congress's refusal to authorize the war.”

Three months into the Iran War, Congress directed the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Three months into the Iran War, Congress so directed. First the House, on June 3, then the Senate, on June 23, passed the same concurrent resolution directing "the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran."”

The Supreme Court broke the legislative veto mechanism when it struck it down in 1983.

“The Supreme Court broke that mechanism when it struck down the legislative veto in 1983.”

Over $40 billion has been spent on the president's Iran adventure as of October 2026.

“To date, we've spent over $40 billion on the president's Iran adventure, yet Congress has never passed specific appropriations for any of it.”

Section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution commands the president to terminate military operations after 60 days without congressional authorization.

“The WPR's first brake was supposed to operate automatically: Section 5(b) commands the president to "terminate" military operations after 60 days absent congressional authorization.”

The administration has been paying the bills for the Iran adventure by tapping into Pentagon funds authorized for other purposes, such as military training and readiness.

“The administration has been paying the bills by tapping into Pentagon funds authorized for other purposes, such as military training and readiness.”

U.S. Central Command has been cold emailing military experts to find new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran.

“Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command has taken to cold emailing military experts "looking for new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran."”

The Senate took a vote on the 1973 War Powers Resolution (WPR) in the week prior to October 2, 2026, with a result of 49–50.

“The Senate took another shot last week, missing 49–50.”

Congress passed the War Powers Resolution over President Richard Nixon's veto in 1973.

“When Congress passed the WPR over President Richard Nixon's veto in 1973, it meant to provide two independent brakes on presidential warmaking.”

The Trump administration has touted the recent announcement of a new steel plant in Iowa as proof that tariffs are revitalizing American manufacturing.

“The Trump administration has touted the recent announcement of a new steel plant in Iowa as proof that the tariffs are working to revitalize American manufacturing—which is only true if you look at the benefits while willfully ignoring the costs.”

More than 50% of all American imports consist of raw materials and intermediate products used in manufacturing.

“More than half of all American imports are raw materials and intermediate products that go into building other things.”

The White House's chatbot highlighted a Federal Reserve study and a U.S. International Trade Commission study, both indicating that tariffs reduce manufacturing employment and production in downstream industries due to higher costs.

“The White House's chatbot also highlighted a Federal Reserve study and a U.S. International Trade Commission study, both of which show how tariffs reduce manufacturing employment and production in downstream industries affected by higher costs.”

America.gov states that tariffs can increase the price buyers pay and make competing domestic goods more expensive.

“America.gov says that tariffs "can raise the price buyers pay. Domestic goods that compete with those imports can also become more expensive."”

America.gov told Eric Boehm on Friday morning, October 2, 2026, that a tariff is a tax on imported goods and the extra cost is first paid by the U.S. importer.

“"A tariff is a tax on imported goods. That extra cost is paid first by the U.S. importer," America.gov told me on Friday morning when I asked it to explain who pays the cost of higher tariffs.”

Jack Salmon documented that higher government debt is associated with slower economic growth.

“And, as my colleague Jack Salmon has documented, higher government debt is associated with slower growth.”

Some of the recent increases in interest rates are due to AI investment raising the demand for capital.

“Some of the recent increases come from AI investment raising the demand for capital.”

Interest rates are currently well above what they were from 2009 to 2021.

“Incidentally, interest rates are well above what we saw from 2009 to 2021 (back when fiscal doves thought rates would always stay low).”

The 2021-2022 inflation spike was the worst in four decades.

“The 2021-2022 inflation spike, the worst in four decades, was the price level adjusting to a $5 trillion flood of deficit spending that investors did not believe future fiscal surpluses would cover.”