Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jul 22: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on Tuesday that the ongoing conflict with Iran has already cost an estimated $37.5 billion, as the Trump administration sought nearly $87.6 billion in emergency funding to sustain military operations and strengthen defence capabilities.
Speaking before the Senate Appropriations Committee during a hearing on President Donald Trump's supplemental funding request, Hegseth said the estimated cost includes military operations already undertaken as well as projected expenses for personnel, operations and maintenance through September 30.
"The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion," Hegseth said while responding to questions from Democratic Senator Richard Durbin.
The administration's emergency funding proposal includes approximately $67 billion for defence-related spending.
According to Hegseth, around $21 billion would be allocated to military readiness, covering troop salaries, replacement of equipment, logistical support for forward-deployed forces, fuel supplies and National Guard operations.
Another $46 billion has been earmarked to accelerate defence modernisation, including expanded production of munitions, hypersonic weapons, counter-drone technologies, satellite capabilities and other advanced military systems.
The Defence Secretary warned that failure to approve the funding could significantly affect military preparedness.
"Without these funds, we face critical shortfalls that threaten our ability to pay our service members, replenish equipment and munitions rapidly, and sustain essential military operations without interruption," Hegseth told the committee.
He added that years of deferred maintenance and declining weapons inventories had further increased the need for additional resources.
Democratic lawmakers, however, questioned the urgency of the request, pointing out that the Pentagon still has nearly $75 billion in previously approved but unspent funds.
Senator Patty Murray criticised several provisions in the supplemental package, noting that it includes nearly $1 billion each for US Southern Command, continued National Guard deployments in Washington, and operations along the US-Mexico border.
"The American people want a swift and strategic end to this war, not tens of billions of dollars to prolong it," Murray said.
The hearing also highlighted differences over the legal basis for continuing military operations without explicit congressional approval.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski referred to the War Powers Resolution, which generally requires a president to end military hostilities within 60 days unless Congress authorises continued action.
Responding to the concern, Hegseth said the administration believes President Trump possesses the constitutional authority required to continue current operations.
"We share the White House's position that all the necessary legal authorities are in place at this time," he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine declined to comment on the possibility of deploying US ground forces, stating only that military planners routinely prepare and evaluate a range of operational options and their associated risks.