Published Jul 21, 2026, 3:53 PM EDT
The defense secretary made the remarks during a Senate pitch to add roughly $88 billion in Iran War-related spending.
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Published Jul 21, 2026, 3:53 PM EDT
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in his opening remarks during a congressional hearing Tuesday that not fully funding the Department of Defense to the tune of $1.5 trillion is the "greatest threat" the United States faces at home and abroad. Hegseth made the remarks while testifying today before the Senate Appropriations Committee, as the White House is requesting an additional $87.6 billion for "urgent needs" regarding the United States' ongoing military operations in Iran. He was joined in the hearing by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. That approximate $87.6 billion total would earmark roughly $67 billion for DOD, including approximately $21 billion for munitions, $17.3 billion for operational costs, and $12.1 billion for classified programs. The request also includes some $300 million for improved security at U.S. embassies and diplomatic outposts across the Middle East and South Asia.
