Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense scrutiny at a Senate hearing on Tuesday as he estimated the U.S. war with Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far, while Republicans pushed a $95 billion budget package to fund military operations and other priorities. The debate centered on rising casualties, unmet war goals, and questions about Pentagon leadership.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that the U.S. war with Iran has cost $37.5 billion to date, an increase from earlier estimates, as Republicans advanced a $95 billion budget package to fund military operations and other White House priorities. The hearing, held days after the Pentagon confirmed three more U.S. service members died in the conflict, brought sharp criticism from Democrats and protests from activists demanding an end to the war.
Hegseth’s War Cost Estimate Sparks Scrutiny
The estimate, which marks an increase of almost $8 billion from previous assessments, came as the conflict has resulted in 17 U.S. service members killed and over 100 injured since early July. Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the panel, called the war now spiraling out of control again,
warning it could become another forever war
if Congress approved additional funding.
Murray criticized the administration’s repeated claims that a deal with Iran is “near,” only to now seek $70 billion more in war funding. Hegseth defended the request, stating the funds were urgent, necessary
to address critical shortfalls in troop pay, munitions, and equipment. However, the Pentagon has yet to spend about half of the $150 billion approved in last year’s budget, a point raised by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat.
Protests and Criticism Over War Strategy
The demonstrations highlighted growing public discontent, with an AP-NORC poll showing most Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the conflict. Gas prices have surged as Iran seeks to control oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. munitions stocks dwindle from prolonged missile strikes.
The hearing also focused on Pentagon leadership, with Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican chair of the committee, condemning the department for blocking promotions of women and minorities. This is likely to discourage well-qualified women and individuals of color from joining our armed forces,
Collins said, per apnews.com. Meanwhile, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, pressed Hegseth on whether the U.S. had obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities, a question Hegseth did not fully address.
For more on this story, see Iran Conflict Costs US $37.5bn So Far.
Republican Push for Budget Package Amid Midterm Campaigns
The White House urged Congress to pass the resolution without modification—immediately,
as stated in apnews.com. However, the plan lacks offsets, drawing criticism from Democrats who argue it shifts costs to taxpayers without addressing the war’s unresolved objectives.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the administration’s approach, stating, The commander in chief and the whole Department of War are working very hard to bring this to a resolution,
according to timesofisrael.com. Trump, meanwhile, has signaled potential new strikes on Iran, including a warning about targeting Pickaxe Mountain,
an underground nuclear complex, as reported by ABC.
Tensions Over Testosterone Policy and War Powers
Hegseth also faced questions about his proposed policy to offer troops the chance to undergo testosterone replacement therapy. Meanwhile, the Senate is set to consider another war powers resolution, having voted nearly a dozen times to attempt to halt the conflict, as noted in timesofisrael.com.
The hearing underscored deep partisan divides over the war’s trajectory and funding. With midterm elections approaching, the outcome of the budget package—and the broader debate over U.S. involvement in Iran—could shape the political landscape for months to come.
