Washington, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appeared before the House Armed Services Committee on April 29, 2026, for his first major congressional testimony since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran in late February.
The hearing, originally focused on the Pentagon’s fiscal year 2027 budget request, quickly shifted to intense scrutiny of the ongoing Iran conflict, now entering its third month. Hegseth testified alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine as lawmakers from both parties pressed for details on costs, strategy, and long-term objectives.
Record Defense Spending Proposal
The Trump administration is seeking a historic $1.5 trillion defense budget for FY2027 — representing roughly a 40% increase over previous levels. Hegseth defended the proposal as essential to “send a message to the world,” fund substantial pay raises for service members, replenish munitions stocks, accelerate development of unmanned systems and drones, and ensure continued U.S. military superiority amid multiple global threats.
Iran War Costs and Current Status
Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst informed the committee that the Iran operations have cost the United States approximately $25 billion to date, primarily for munitions expenditure and equipment replacement. While active fighting has been paused, U.S. forces continue to enforce a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Sharp Partisan Exchanges
The nearly six-hour hearing featured pointed questioning, particularly from Democrats. Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith and others challenged Hegseth on the legal basis for the military action without explicit congressional authorization, the effectiveness of strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, the absence of a clear endgame or exit strategy, and the overall justification for continued U.S. involvement.
Hegseth pushed back strongly, arguing that Iran continues to pose a nuclear threat and accusing some critics of being the “biggest adversary” to the mission, describing certain positions as “feckless and defeatist.” While most Republican members supported the administration’s actions, a few expressed reservations about costs and open-ended commitments.
Lawmakers also questioned Hegseth about his earlier decisions to remove several senior military leaders.
The testimony underscores deep divisions in Congress over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, military spending priorities, and the balance of war powers between the executive and legislative branches. The FY2027 defense budget process is expected to face further debates as lawmakers weigh the financial and strategic implications of the Iran conflict.
Developments in the region and congressional negotiations on the budget are ongoing. Full video of the hearing is available via C-SPAN and the House Armed Services Committee.
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