Congress Grills Hegseth Over Iran War Costs

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth clashed with Democratic lawmakers during a nearly six-hour-long hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, where he defended the Iran war and the Pentagon's budget request. Hegseth sparred with lawmakers over the cost of the war, which has so far cost $25 billion, and the White House's request to boost the US defence budget to $1.5 trillion. Democrats criticized the war as an expensive 'war of choice' waged without Congressional approval, while Republicans largely supported the Pentagon's efforts. The hearing also discussed the international economic ramifications of the war and accountability for an airstrike on a school in Iran that killed 168 people.

The US Defense Department's acting comptroller, Jules Hurst, testified before the House Armed Services Committee that the cost of the conflict in Iran has reached approximately $25 billion. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced questions about the Trump administration's war strategy, with some Democrats expressing concerns that the initial estimate may be low and not accounting for all expenses. Hegseth defended the administration's efforts, criticizing Congress for 'reckless, feckless, and defeatist words.' The committee discussed the Pentagon's efforts to ramp up production of critical munitions and ships to deter threats like China.

The article discusses a House Armed Services Committee hearing where Democratic lawmaker Rep. Seth Moulton argued with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the success of the US blockade of Iranian ports. The hearing was marked by tension and disagreement between lawmakers, with GOP lawmakers Rep. Nancy Mace and Cory Mills also feuding over 'Stolen Valor'. The article also touches on other news stories, including President Donald Trump's comments on the Iran and Ukraine wars, a Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act, and Trump's reaction to James Comey's social media post.

A Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Adam Smith, questioned US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a House Armed Services Committee hearing about the Trump administration's decision to start a war with Iran and the current state of Iran's nuclear facilities. The hearing was marked by tension, with GOP lawmakers also squabbling over 'stolen valor' between Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. Cory Mills. Other news included President Donald Trump's comments on the potential end of wars in Iran and Ukraine, and a Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana's congressional map.

The article reports on a tense exchange between Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at a House Armed Services Committee hearing, where Khanna pressed Hegseth over the rising costs of the Iran war and its economic impact on American taxpayers. The article also touches on other news stories, including a feud between GOP lawmakers, President Donald Trump's comments on the Iran and Ukraine wars, and a Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act.

The Pentagon's estimated cost of the Iran war at $25 billion is considered low by sources familiar with the matter, as it does not include the cost of rebuilding US bases damaged in Iranian strikes. The actual cost is estimated to be closer to $40-50 billion. The damage to US military installations in the region was extensive, with at least nine sites affected in the first 48 hours of the war. The Pentagon's comptroller, Jules 'Jay' Hurst III, testified that most of the $25 billion cost was spent on munitions, but declined to say if the figure included repairs to US bases. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna expressed skepticism over the estimate, calling it 'totally off'.