Defense Secretary Hegseth Testifies on Record $1.5 Trillion Pentagon Budget Amid Iran War Scrutiny
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a second day of Senate testimony over the Pentagon's record military budget request, defending the Iran war as lawmakers question spending and strategy.
Budget Request
Record Defense Spending – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified to a Senate committee about the Pentagon's record-shattering $1.5 trillion budget request. A top defense official disclosed that the Iran war's price tag has reached an estimated $25 billion so far.
Congressional Grilling
Contentious Hearings – Hegseth faced acrimonious exchanges on Wednesday with House Armed Services Committee members who accused him of lying, mismanagement, and incompetence. California Rep. John Garamendi directly stated, "Secretary Hegseth, you have been lying to the American public about this war from day one."
War Powers Debate
Legal Authority Questions – During Senate testimony, Hegseth argued that the Trump administration does not currently need congressional authorization to wage war on Iran, citing a ceasefire that took effect on April 8. Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine disputed this interpretation, noting the 60-day clock will eventually expire and require legal clarity.
Economic Concerns
Inflation and Gas Prices – As the Pentagon seeks the record budget, Americans grapple with rising gas prices. California gasoline prices hit $6 per gallon on Thursday, a 30% increase since the US and Israel launched the war against Iran in late February.