War cost US over $37 billion, Hegseth says, as strikes on Iran continue for 11 straight days
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is urging Congress to approve a $95 billion funding package to cover war costs and military replenishment following ongoing strikes against Iran. The request faces significant opposition from Democrats concerned about the conflict's escalation.
Why it matters
The debate over war funding reflects deep political divisions in the US regarding foreign policy and the potential for a prolonged military engagement.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the war against Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far as he defended President Donald Trump's funding request during a heated Senate hearing. Hegseth faced protests and sharp questioning ahead of a proposed $95 billion Republican budget package, which includes military funding alongside aid for farmers and voting law changes backed by the White House.Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hegseth urged lawmakers to back the administration's emergency defence spending request, saying the additional funding was essential to sustain military operations."The supplemental war funding is an 'urgent, necessary' injection of funds," Hegseth said, adding that Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget represented "a generational investment in the military.""Without these funds, we face critical shortfalls," Hegseth testified.The defence secretary was making the case for President Trump's $87.6 billion supplemental funding request, most of which is intended to replenish Pentagon resources following the US military campaign…
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