Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the ongoing war in Iran during Senate committee testimony and requested an additional $88bn to fund what he called vital operations, the Guardian reported, as US gas prices and oil benchmarks climb.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- Pete Hegseth requested $88bn in additional funding during Senate committee testimony, according to the Guardian.
- Hegseth said the funds are needed to 'sustain vital operations without disruption.'
- Protesters were removed at the start of the testimony.
- US gas prices have risen to just over $4 a gallon, almost a dollar more than a year ago, according to AAA.
- Brent Crude was up almost 2% to $90.92 a barrel.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before a Senate committee to defend the ongoing war in Iran and to request an additional $88bn in funding, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of the hearing.
Hegseth told lawmakers that the additional funding was needed to ‘sustain vital operations without disruption,’ the Guardian reported.
The start of the testimony was disrupted when protesters were removed from the hearing room, according to the same coverage.
The hearing comes against a backdrop of rising energy costs in the United States. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), a gallon of fuel now costs just over $4, almost a dollar more than a year ago. US gas prices have continued to rise since the conflict with Iran resumed this month.
Brent Crude, the international oil benchmark, was up by almost 2% to $90.92 a barrel, according to the Guardian.
It is not yet clear how the Senate will respond to the request, nor what specific operations the funding would cover. Further details were not available in the reporting.
Why it matters
The $88bn request points to significant additional costs tied to the war in Iran at a time when US fuel prices are rising. The Senate's response, still unknown, will shape the level of military spending going forward.
Frequently asked questions
How much additional funding did Hegseth request?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested an additional $88bn during his Senate committee testimony.
Why does Hegseth say the money is needed?
Hegseth said the additional funding is needed to 'sustain vital operations without disruption' in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
How are gas prices being affected?
According to AAA, a gallon of fuel now costs just over $4, almost a dollar more than a year ago, with prices continuing to rise since the conflict with Iran resumed this month.
Timeline
- Pete Hegseth defends ongoing war in Iran and requests $88bn more to pay for it during Senate committee testimony – live
The Guardian World: Protesters removed at start of testimony as defense secretary claims billions of additional funding are needed ‘sustain vital operations without disruption’ Sign up for US Breaking News email US gas prices have continued to rise since the conflict with Iran resumed this month. Ac