US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended an $87.6bn supplemental Pentagon funding request before the Senate appropriations committee, as lawmakers questioned the mounting cost of the US-Israel war on Iran.
Key facts
- Pete Hegseth defended an $87.6bn supplemental funding request before the Senate.
- $67.1bn of the request is earmarked to keep the war effort funded.
- The hearing was held before the Senate appropriations committee, chaired by Susan Collins of Maine.
- Gen Dan Caine, chair of the joint chiefs, also testified.
- The Pentagon said it was running low on cash to continue the fight.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before the Senate on Tuesday to defend the Trump administration’s $87.6bn supplemental funding request, according to the Guardian. The appearance came as lawmakers expressed frustration that the US-Israel war on Iran is costing far more than the White House has previously admitted.
Hegseth was joined by the chair of the joint chiefs, Gen Dan Caine, in testifying before the Senate appropriations committee. The committee is chaired by Susan Collins of Maine.
According to the Guardian, the Pentagon said it was running low on cash to keep the fight going, adding urgency to the administration’s request for additional funds.
Of the total $87.6bn request, $67.1bn is earmarked specifically to keep the war effort funded, the Guardian reported. The remainder of the request was not detailed in the available reporting.
The hearing reflects growing scrutiny in the Senate over the scale and cost of the ongoing conflict, with lawmakers pressing the defense secretary and the joint chiefs chair on the administration’s spending.
Why it matters
The scale of the funding request signals the significant and rising cost of the US-Israel war on Iran. Senate scrutiny of the request could shape how much support the administration receives to continue the conflict and affects how public money is allocated.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding is the Trump administration requesting?
The administration is requesting $87.6bn in supplemental funding, of which $67.1bn is earmarked specifically to fund the war effort, according to the Guardian.
Who testified before the Senate?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the chair of the joint chiefs, Gen Dan Caine, testified before the Senate appropriations committee, which is chaired by Susan Collins of Maine.
Why is the funding request being questioned?
Lawmakers are frustrated that the US-Israel war on Iran is costing far more than the White House has admitted, and the Pentagon said it was running low on cash to continue the fight.