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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before lawmakers Wednesday, defending the Pentagon’s proposed $1.5 trillion budget as critical for positioning U.S. forces for “the current and future fight.” During the hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, one defense official estimated some $25 billion had been spent on the war in Iran, leading some lawmakers to question the true cost and purpose of the conflict. The Pentagon says most of the money has gone toward munitions and weapons, while the rest has been allocated to running operations and equipment replacement.Lawmakers also questioned the impact of the war, noting that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly, driving up costs domestically. “Gas prices are up 40% and inflation is soaring. So much for lowering the cost of living,” Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., said. “The president has got himself and America stuck in a quagmire of another war in the Middle East.” But, Secretary Hegseth argued that the conflict is only two months in and emphasized the importance of the proposed budget to rebuilding the nation’s weapons stockpile, maintaining U.S. military forces, and deterring adversaries like Iran from rebuilding and acquiring nuclear weapons. “Calling this a quagmire two months in. The effort, what they’ve undertaken, what they’ve succeeded, the success on the battlefield that could create strategic opportunities, the courage of a president to confront a nuclear Iran.” Sec. Hegseth said. “Shame on you for that statement.” Some also pressed Hegseth on the status of Iran’s nuclear program, after the Pentagon claimed that strikes last year destroyed key facilities.”We had to start this war 60 days ago because the nuclear weapon was an imminent threat. Now you’re saying that it was completely obliterated,” Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said.”Their facilities are bombed and obliterated. Their ambitions continued,” Hegseth replied.Hegseth also stated that the American people support the mission preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. And while an Associated Press poll last month found that most Americans support that goal, many also believe the military action against Iran has gone too far. “How is this war going? Do you think we’re winning?” Rep. Seth Moulton asked during the hearing. “On the battlefield, it’s been an astounding military success,” Hegseth said. “But are we winning the war?” Moulton followed. “Absolutely,” Hegseth said. Watch the latest on the war in Iran:
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before lawmakers Wednesday, defending the Pentagon’s proposed $1.5 trillion budget as critical for positioning U.S. forces for “the current and future fight.”
During the hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, one defense official estimated some $25 billion had been spent on the war in Iran, leading some lawmakers to question the true cost and purpose of the conflict.
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The Pentagon says most of the money has gone toward munitions and weapons, while the rest has been allocated to running operations and equipment replacement.
Lawmakers also questioned the impact of the war, noting that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly, driving up costs domestically.
“Gas prices are up 40% and inflation is soaring. So much for lowering the cost of living,” Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., said. “The president has got himself and America stuck in a quagmire of another war in the Middle East.”
But, Secretary Hegseth argued that the conflict is only two months in and emphasized the importance of the proposed budget to rebuilding the nation’s weapons stockpile, maintaining U.S. military forces, and deterring adversaries like Iran from rebuilding and acquiring nuclear weapons.
“Calling this a quagmire two months in. The effort, what they’ve undertaken, what they’ve succeeded, the success on the battlefield that could create strategic opportunities, the courage of a president to confront a nuclear Iran.” Sec. Hegseth said. “Shame on you for that statement.”
Some also pressed Hegseth on the status of Iran’s nuclear program, after the Pentagon claimed that strikes last year destroyed key facilities.
“We had to start this war 60 days ago because the nuclear weapon was an imminent threat. Now you’re saying that it was completely obliterated,” Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said.
“Their facilities are bombed and obliterated. Their ambitions continued,” Hegseth replied.
Hegseth also stated that the American people support the mission preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. And while an Associated Press poll last month found that most Americans support that goal, many also believe the military action against Iran has gone too far.
“How is this war going? Do you think we’re winning?” Rep. Seth Moulton asked during the hearing.
“On the battlefield, it’s been an astounding military success,” Hegseth said.
“But are we winning the war?” Moulton followed.
“Absolutely,” Hegseth said.
Watch the latest on the war in Iran:
