Hegseth faces congressional scrutiny as Pentagon says Iran war has cost $25 billion

Wednesday, April 29, 2026U.S. PoliticsWell-covered6 frames

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the House Armed Services Committee in his first public congressional questioning since the Iran war began.
The hearing was formally about the Trump administration's 2027 defense budget request, which sources describe as about $1.5 trillion.
Questioning at the House hearing focused heavily on the Iran war rather than only on the budget request.
Pentagon officials told lawmakers the Iran war has cost an estimated $25 billion so far.
Officials said much of the war's cost has come from munitions spending and equipment replacement.
Hegseth clashed with Democratic lawmakers, and some reports say some Republicans also raised concerns during the hearing.
Lawmakers' concerns included the war's financial cost, U.S. casualties and the effect on stockpiles of critical weapons.
The congressional scrutiny is continuing, with Hegseth scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee the next day for another hearing expected to revisit the Iran war and the defense budget.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the House Armed Services Committee in his first public congressional questioning since the Iran war began.
The hearing was formally about the Trump administration's 2027 defense budget request, which sources describe as about $1.5 trillion.
Questioning at the House hearing focused heavily on the Iran war rather than only on the budget request.
Pentagon officials told lawmakers the Iran war has cost an estimated $25 billion so far.
Officials said much of the war's cost has come from munitions spending and equipment replacement.
Hegseth clashed with Democratic lawmakers, and some reports say some Republicans also raised concerns during the hearing.
Lawmakers' concerns included the war's financial cost, U.S. casualties and the effect on stockpiles of critical weapons.
The congressional scrutiny is continuing, with Hegseth scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee the next day for another hearing expected to revisit the Iran war and the defense budget.