Hegseth Faces Senate Questions Over $70 Billion Iran War Request/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Senators confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the escalating Iran war as Republicans sought $70 billion in additional military funding. The request forms the bulk of a $95 billion package that also includes assistance for farmers and funding for changes to voting laws. Lawmakers questioned Hegseth about US casualties, military promotions, testosterone screenings and an unreleased report on a deadly school strike. Hegseth faces Senate questioning over the Iran war as Republicans seek $70 billion in additional military funding. The request is part of a $95 billion package that also includes assistance for farmers and money for changes to voting laws. Lawmakers are expected to press Hegseth about the conflict’s objectives, rising American casualties and the Pentagon’s disclosure practices.
Quick Look
- Hegseth appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday.
- Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins were also set to testify.
- Republicans are seeking a $95 billion budget package.
- Approximately $70 billion would fund the Iran war.
- The proposal includes $10 billion for farmers hurt by Trump’s tariffs.
- Another $10 billion would support voting law changes.
- The new spending is not offset by cuts or additional revenue.
- Seventeen American service members have died in the war.
- More than 100 troops have been injured since early July.
- Nearly 450 have been injured since the conflict began.
- Sen. Patty Murray said the war was “spiraling out of control again.”
- Sen. Susan Collins criticized the Pentagon’s handling of officer promotions.
- Collins said women and minority officers had been particularly affected.
- Chuck Schumer questioned Hegseth’s focus on testosterone screenings.
- Senators are demanding a Pentagon report on a deadly strike against an Iranian primary school.
- The White House urged lawmakers to approve the budget resolution immediately and without changes.
- Trump asked all House Republicans to support the measure.
- Rep. Warren Davidson opposes the package because of its deficit impact.
Deep Look
Hegseth Faces Senate Questions
WASHINGTON — Senators delivered pointed criticism Tuesday as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee to discuss the escalating US war with Iran and the Trump administration’s request for additional funding.
Republicans are seeking a $95 billion budget package that would provide new military funding while also supporting farmers and changes to voting laws.
The hearing came days after the Pentagon announced three additional American military deaths, bringing the conflict’s US service member death toll to 17.
Murray Says War Is Spiraling
Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the committee’s senior Democrat, opened with a warning about the direction of the conflict.
“This war is now spiraling out of control again,” Murray said.
She warned that the fighting “could be another forever war.”
Murray also challenged Trump’s repeated predictions that an agreement with Iran was close.
Trump “has told us over 40 times now that a deal is near, and the war will be over soon,” she said.
“But now, he’s asking for $70 billion more — and for us to just trust him it’ll all work out fine.”
White House Demands Immediate Approval
Before the hearing, the White House released a formal statement supporting the Republican budget resolution.
The administration urged lawmakers to approve it “without modification—immediately.”
Trump also used social media at the beginning of the week to ask every House Republican to vote for the measure.
The public pressure reflects the importance the White House has placed on securing more money for the war before lawmakers leave Washington to campaign.
War Receives Largest Share of Package
Funding for military operations in Iran accounts for the largest portion of the $95 billion proposal.
Approximately $70 billion would be directed toward the conflict.
The package is one of the final major legislative priorities Republicans hope to advance before the congressional recess.
Lawmakers will then turn their attention to the midterm elections, which will determine control of the House and Senate.
Farmers Would Receive $10 Billion
The proposal includes $10 billion in assistance for farmers facing financial pressure from Trump’s tariffs.
Trade restrictions and retaliatory measures have disrupted agricultural exports and increased costs for producers.
The package includes another $10 billion for changes to voting laws.
Those provisions are expected to include new voter identification requirements, a leading White House priority.
None of the new spending is offset by spending reductions or additional revenue.
Public Disapproves of Trump’s Iran Strategy
Most Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of Iran, according to an AP-NORC poll.
The conflict has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed US gasoline prices back to an average of $4 per gallon.
American munitions are also running low because of the pace of US missile strikes.
The war marks a departure from Trump’s campaign promise to avoid prolonged American military involvement overseas.
Republicans Avoid Challenging Strategy
Trump has shown no indication that he intends to back away from the conflict.
Congressional Republicans have largely avoided confronting his strategy, questioning his objectives or using Congress’ spending and war powers to end the fighting.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the administration while acknowledging uncertainty over the conflict’s conclusion.
“The commander in chief and the whole Department of War are working very hard to bring this to a resolution,” Johnson said.
“There’s a lot of questions about how that will be done.”
Collins Criticizes Military Promotions
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the Republican chair of the committee, criticized Hegseth’s leadership of the Pentagon.
She called it “deeply troubling” that the department had blocked or denied promotions to several military officers.
Collins said women and members of minority groups appeared to be particularly affected.
“This is likely to discourage well-qualified women and individuals of color from joining our armed forces, thus depriving us of their talent, dedication and patriotism,” she said.
Hegseth’s Leadership Faces Wider Scrutiny
The hearing extended beyond war strategy and funding.
Senators were expected to question Hegseth about personnel decisions, casualty disclosures and his overall management of the Defense Department.
Nearly 450 American service members have been injured since the conflict began.
More than 100 of those injuries occurred since early July.
Schumer Questions Testosterone Focus
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer accused Hegseth of focusing public attention on testosterone screenings for military personnel instead of promptly disclosing new casualties.
“One of the biggest questions Pete Hegseth has to answer today is why he was out marketing testosterone supplements for our troops last week while withholding casualty numbers in the Iran War from the American people,” Schumer said.
The criticism reflects broader concerns about the Pentagon’s transparency regarding the human cost of the conflict.
Senators Demand School Strike Report
Lawmakers have also pressed Hegseth to release the Pentagon’s investigation into a deadly attack on an Iranian primary school at the beginning of the war.
Some senators threatened to withhold funding for Hegseth’s official travel unless the report is provided.
They are seeking information about the intelligence behind the attack, the number of casualties and the military’s efforts to prevent civilian deaths.
The report had not been made public before the hearing.
Senate Prepares Another War Powers Vote
The Senate is expected to consider another war powers resolution this week.
Senators have voted nearly a dozen times on attempts to limit or halt the conflict.
The House passed a resolution restricting Trump’s ability to wage war, with several Republicans joining Democrats.
No resolution has passed both chambers and reached the president.
Republicans Plan to Use Reconciliation
Republicans intend to advance the spending package through the budget reconciliation process.
That procedure allows a Senate majority to approve qualifying fiscal legislation without support from minority Democrats.
The GOP used reconciliation to pass Trump’s major tax-cut legislation in 2025 and additional Homeland Security funding earlier in 2026.
The process still requires Republicans to maintain support within their own narrow majorities.
House Vote Begins Process
The House is expected to vote this week on a resolution instructing committees to begin writing the legislation.
Johnson can lose only a few Republican votes.
Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio has announced his opposition, warning that the package would add to federal deficits without corresponding spending reductions.
Other conservative Republicans share his concerns.
Senate Republicans have also criticized the House plan but are waiting to see whether Johnson can secure enough votes to begin the reconciliation process.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to face intense questioning from senators Tuesday about the cost, objectives and casualties of the US war against Iran.
Hegseth will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee as Republicans advance a $95 billion budget package containing additional military funding.
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins are also scheduled to appear.
The hearing comes days after the military announced three additional American deaths, raising the war’s US military death toll to 17.
Republicans Seek $70 Billion for War
Funding for military operations in Iran makes up the largest share of the Republican budget plan.
President Donald Trump is requesting approximately $70 billion more for the conflict.
The proposal is one of the final major legislative packages Republicans hope to begin before Congress leaves Washington to campaign for the midterm elections.
Those elections will determine control of the House and Senate.
Murray Warns of ‘Forever War’
Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the Appropriations Committee’s senior Democrat, plans to challenge the administration’s repeated claims that the conflict will end soon.
Murray warned that Iran “could be another forever war.”
Trump “has told us over 40 times now that a deal is near, and the war will be over soon,” Murray said in prepared remarks.
“But now, he’s asking for $70 billion more — and for us to just trust him it’ll all work out fine.”
Her remarks reflect growing Democratic concerns that the conflict lacks a clear conclusion or achievable political objective.
Budget Includes Farmer Assistance
The Republican package also includes $10 billion for farmers suffering financial pressure from Trump’s tariffs.
Trade restrictions and retaliatory measures have affected agricultural exports and increased costs for some producers.
The assistance is intended to reduce those losses.
The package does not include spending cuts or new revenue to offset the farmer aid, war funding or election-related provisions.
Voting Changes Receive $10 Billion
Another $10 billion would be directed toward changes in voting laws.
The final provisions are expected to include new voter identification requirements, a major White House priority.
Republicans say stricter identification rules would improve confidence in elections.
Democrats have generally opposed such proposals, arguing that they could make voting more difficult for eligible citizens.
War Becomes Unpopular
Most Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of Iran, according to an AP-NORC poll.
The conflict is also creating economic pressure as Iran restricts oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
The disruption has pushed gasoline prices higher and returned the national average to approximately $4 per gallon.
Higher energy prices could become a significant issue in the midterm elections.
US Munitions Running Low
American military supplies are also under pressure following repeated missile attacks against Iran.
US munitions are running low as the campaign requires large numbers of precision weapons and defensive interceptors.
That depletion raises questions about military readiness and the amount of additional funding needed to continue operations.
It could also affect America’s ability to respond to security threats elsewhere.
Republicans Avoid Confronting Trump
Trump has shown no indication that he intends to end the military campaign immediately.
Congressional Republicans have largely avoided directly challenging the president’s strategy or questioning his objectives.
They have also declined to use Congress’ spending authority or war powers to stop the conflict.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the administration’s efforts while acknowledging uncertainty over how the war would end.
“The commander in chief and the whole Department of War are working very hard to bring this to a resolution,” Johnson said at his Tuesday news conference.
“There’s a lot of questions about how that will be done.”
Nearly 450 Troops Injured
More than 100 American service members have been injured since early July.
Nearly 450 have been wounded since the war began.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Hegseth for allegedly delaying the release of casualty information while promoting testosterone screening for military personnel.
“One of the biggest questions Pete Hegseth has to answer today is why he was out marketing testosterone supplements for our troops last week while withholding casualty numbers in the Iran War from the American people,” Schumer said.
Hegseth’s Leadership Under Scrutiny
The hearing is expected to extend beyond war funding and strategy.
Senators are likely to question Hegseth about his management of the Pentagon, communication with Congress and handling of military casualty information.
His proposed testosterone screenings for service members have also drawn scrutiny.
Democrats argue that Hegseth focused public attention on the screening initiative while failing to disclose new injuries from the conflict promptly.
Senators Demand School Strike Report
Lawmakers have pressed Hegseth to release the Pentagon’s report on a deadly American attack against an Iranian primary school at the beginning of the war.
Some senators have threatened to withhold funding for Hegseth’s official travel unless he provides the report.
They want details about how the strike occurred, what intelligence supported it and what measures were taken to prevent civilian casualties.
The Pentagon had not released the report before Tuesday’s hearing.
Senate Considers War Powers Vote
The Senate is expected to consider another war powers resolution this week.
Senators have voted nearly a dozen times on attempts to restrict or halt the conflict.
The House passed a war powers resolution limiting Trump’s authority to continue military operations, with several Republicans joining Democrats.
No resolution has passed both chambers and reached the president’s desk.
GOP Uses Reconciliation Process
Republicans plan to advance the $95 billion package through the budget reconciliation process.
Reconciliation allows the Senate majority to pass qualifying fiscal legislation without Democratic votes.
The GOP used the same process for Trump’s major tax-cut legislation in 2025 and additional Homeland Security funding earlier in 2026.
The approach enables Republicans to bypass Democratic objections if they can maintain unity within their own party.
House Vote Begins Legislative Process
The House is expected to vote this week on instructions directing committees to begin drafting the legislation.
Johnson can lose only a small number of Republican votes because of his narrow majority.
Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio has already announced his opposition.
Davidson warned that the package would increase federal deficits because the new spending is not balanced by reductions elsewhere.
Other conservative Republicans have expressed similar concerns.
Senate Republicans Remain Skeptical
Republican senators have criticized the House proposal but are waiting to see whether Johnson can secure enough votes to begin the process.
Their objections could complicate passage even if the House approves the initial instructions.
The debate will test whether Republicans can remain united behind additional Iran war funding while addressing deficit concerns and growing public dissatisfaction with the conflict.
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