White House seeks $87B emergency funding as Iran conflict escalates, Hegseth testifies

by GEOFF HARRIS | The National News Desk Tue, July 21, 2026 at 9:14 PM WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 21: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. Members of the Trump administration appeared before the committee to request supplemental funding amid a recent escalation in the war with Iran. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images) WASHINGTON (TNND) — As the war in Iran escalates, the White House is asking Congress for billions more in emergency funding, setting up a tense showdown on Capitol Hill over the cost, the strategy and the growing toll on U.S. service members . Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee sharply criticized the request and questioned why taxpayers should pay for what they described as an unapproved “forever war.” (TNND) Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine testified Tuesday as the Trump administration seeks $87.6 billion in supplemental spending, including just over $67 billion tied to the Iran conflict. The request includes money for munitions, operational costs and classified programs. Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee sharply criticized the request and questioned why taxpayers should pay for what they described as an unapproved “forever war.” And at what point do you stop asking Americans to foot the bill for a war they don't support?" asked Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH. "I would hope for some perspective in this town of the historic nature of what President Trump is undertaking. Do you want radical Islamists to have a nuclear bomb that can stare down the world?" Hegseth responded. Hegseth also warned that failing to pass the supplemental could quickly strain the military’s finances and readiness. “Without these funds, we face critical shortfalls that threaten our ability to also simply pay our service members. Rapidly replenish equipment and munitions and sustain vital operations without disruption,” Hegseth said. Hegseth disclosed Tuesday that the war has cost $37.5 billion so far. But CNN reported analysts estimated in March that the war is costing American taxpayers over $890 million a day. Republicans on the committee defended the request, arguing it is needed to keep the U.S. moving forward. Sen. Deb Fischer., R-Neb. asked Caine, “General Caine, what happens if Congress doesn't fund this $21 billion request for additional munitions?” Caine responded, “If we don't as a team figure out how to properly fund the department, then we're not going to get the munitions and there's going to be a lack of shared risk between the federal government and private sector.” The hearing grew heated at multiple points, including bipartisan scrutiny over how the administration plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which remains closed. Democrats also pressed Hegseth on the administration’s shifting claims about Iran’s nuclear program, noting it said last year it “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities but launched a full war in April of this year claiming Iran was weeks away from a weapon. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY., asked, “Which is true? Was it obliterated or wasn't it? What's the status?” Hegseth replied, “The nuclear site's under 'Midnight Hammer' were obliterated but Iranians foolishly continued to pursue nuclear capabilities which is why we destroyed their defense industrial base.” He later added, “See we're staying laser focused on the objective and you're trying to make campaign commercials.” The funding fight comes as U.S. casualties mount. Four U.S. soldiers were recently killed, including three in an Iranian attack. The deaths brought the total number of service members killed since the war began in February to 18.