Lawmakers press Hegseth on details on Iran war authorization, ceasefire

Lawmakers push Hegseth for actual cost of Iran war during Capitol Hill hearing 04:14

Both Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate subcommittees that oversee defense spending pointedly questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the Iran ceasefire, the cost of the war and the administration's decision to enter the conflict without Congress' approval.

Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appeared in back-to-back hearings before the House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees as the Pentagon is seeking $1.5 trillion in the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal. That number is a starting point for negotiations with Congress over annual spending and would mark a 42% increase in defense spending from 2026 levels.

Hegseth testified last month before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees that the conflict has cost $25 billion so far, and acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst said Tuesday that the price tag is now at $29 billion. U.S. officials familiar with internal assessments suggested in April that the Iran war's price tag could be closer to $50 billion.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/watch-live-hegseth-questioned-amid-120243541.html