U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, revealing that the war with Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far. The hearing came as Republicans prepare a $95 billion funding package, including $67 billion for military operations. The conflict has claimed 17 American lives and injured over 100 since early July, with three additional deaths reported days before the hearing.
Hegseth defended the supplemental funding as "urgent and necessary," warning of "critical shortfalls" without additional resources. He cited the administration's goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, referencing the Midnight Hammer airstrikes in June 2025. However, Senator Patty Murray (D) criticized the war's escalation, calling it a potential "forever war" and questioning President Trump's repeated claims that a deal was imminent.
Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), a Trump ally, pressed Hegseth on the consequences of withdrawing from the conflict, while Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) labeled the war a "failure," prompting Hegseth to offer Peters a visit to U.S. Central Command to speak with troops. The hearing also highlighted economic impacts, with oil prices surging to $90 per barrel and gasoline averaging $4 per gallon nationwide.