Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee as the United States’ conflict with Iran escalates. Multiple outlets report the hearing centers on the Trump administration’s request for emergency supplemental funding of about $87.6 billion, which the White House describes as necessary to sustain military operations and address broader needs. PBS and The Hill also describe additional elements bundled into the broader funding package, including funding for farmers, efforts tied to curbing an Ebola outbreak, and other policy priorities.
Reports say senators, particularly Democrats, press for details and challenge the request amid concerns over the growing cost and accounting of the war, with some lawmakers demanding justification for continued spending and questioning how much is specifically allocated to replenishing depleted stockpiles and keeping the Iran conflict funded. NBC and PBS describe the hearing as tense, with questioning intensifying as Iran-related developments occur in parallel. The Guardian adds that the Pentagon says it is running low on cash to sustain the fight. Across coverage, the administration seeks approval while lawmakers weigh objections and seek clarifications.
