According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the US has already spent about $37.5 billion (£28 billion) on the conflict with Iran, an increase of almost $8 billion from the previous estimate in May.
Hegseth stated that military training would have to be reduced unless senators approved an immediate financial boost during his first appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee since hostilities between the US and Iran resumed.
He stated that he was requesting $87 billion in congressional financing for his department, of which $67 billion would go toward Middle East operations.
“Stop bombing our children in Iran and Palestine” was shouted by anti-war demonstrators, who repeatedly disrupted the hearing.
Following the deaths of three US servicemen in the Middle East, Hegseth appeared before the committee at a critical juncture in the conflict.
In April, the White House requested $1.5 trillion from Congress for the Pentagon over the upcoming fiscal year, bringing US military spending to a record high in the modern period.
Iran replied with strikes of its own against the United States and its Middle Eastern allies after the United States started strikes on Monday for the tenth day in a row.
“We live in a perilous world,” the defense secretary said at the start of Tuesday’s testimony, emphasizing the need for quick and decisive action.
Hegseth continued, “His financial request came at an important time,” after being cut off by demonstrators.
“Without these funds, we face critical shortfalls that threaten our ability to also simply pay our service members, rapidly replenish equipment and munitions, and sustain vital operations without disruption,” Hegseth said, adding that crucial investments were required to stop adversaries from outpacing the US.
He went on to say that every dollar appropriated would be used to “reinforce peace through strength” and increase the “lethality” of US armed troops.
Susan Collins, the Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, asked Hegseth what would happen if the budgetary requirements were not fulfilled.
Hegseth repeatedly attacked the administration of former President Joe Biden for what he claimed was an underfunded military, saying that without the finances, military personnel’s training would have to be reduced both now and in the future.
