Washington D.C. | April 30, 2026
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense questioning from lawmakers on Capitol Hill in his first congressional appearance since President Donald Trump ordered military action against Iran.
The high-stakes hearing before the House Armed Services Committee quickly turned into a heated debate over the legality, cost, and long-term consequences of the escalating conflict. Democratic lawmakers sharply criticized the administration, calling the Iran war a “conflict of choice”
launched without proper congressional authorization. Several members argued that bypassing Congress undermines constitutional checks and risks dragging the United States into a prolonged and expensive war in the Middle East.
Hegseth, defending the administration’s actions, maintained that the strikes were necessary to counter growing threats and protect U.S. interests. He emphasized that the military remains prepared for any escalation while insisting that the operation was strategically calculated to deter further aggression.
The hearing also focused heavily on the administration’s proposed 2027 military budget, which seeks to raise defense spending to an unprecedented $1.5 trillion. The proposal includes significant investments in advanced weapons systems, cyber warfare capabilities, and troop readiness, reflecting what officials describe as a need to counter emerging global threats.
However, critics warned that such a massive increase could strain the federal budget and divert resources from domestic priorities. The debate over defense spending is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, as lawmakers weigh national security concerns against economic realities.
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