Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is up here on Capitol Hill asking lawmakers for more money, mostly related to the war in Iran. It comes as President Trump today indicated that the conflict is far from over, saying he has no interest in meeting with Iran unless he has an indication they’re serious. So if we left right now, it would take Iran 2025 years to rebuild. OK, and we’re not finished at all. The US and Iran escalating their attacks with no end to the fighting in sight. Nearly 100 US service members have been injured since the fighting reignited in early July, and 18 have been killed since the war began at the end of February. Most recently, Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton from North Carolina, killed while disarming an Iranian drone in Iraq. The president says he’ll go to Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of recent fallen service members. I’ll be going to Dover. For something that I feel is, it’s *** great honor for me to do it. The human cost comes as the financial toll is also climbing, with the White House asking Congress for $87.6 billion in emergency funding, mostly to cover the cost of the war. 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 and over in the House right now Republicans are trying to pass *** $95 billion supplemental package that meets the president’s goals on Capitol Hill, I’m Christopher Sales.
Secretary Hegseth testifies on Capitol Hill as Iran War costs rise to $37.5 billion
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate, revealing the Iran conflict has cost $37.5 billion so far, as the White House requests $87.6 billion in emergency funding to sustain military operations.
Updated: 5:25 PM CDT Jul 21, 2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified on Capitol Hill, stating that the Iran conflict has cost $37.5 billion to date, as the White House seeks $87.6 billion in emergency funding to continue military operations. President Donald Trump emphasized the ongoing nature of the campaign, saying, “So if we left right now, it would take Iran 20, 25 years to rebuild. But we’re not finished at all.” The conflict has escalated significantly, with nearly 100 U.S. service members injured since fighting reignited in early July and 18 killed since the war began in late February. Among the fallen is Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton from North Carolina, who was killed while disarming an Iranian drone in Iraq. President Trump is expected to attend a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for the recently fallen service members. “I’ll be going to Dover for something that I feel is… it’s a great honor for me to do it,” Trump said. The financial toll of the conflict is also mounting. Hegseth warned of critical consequences if the requested funds are not approved. “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 disruptions,” he said. The funding request includes allocations for farmers and changes to voting laws. Meanwhile, House Republicans are working to pass a $95 billion package to support the president’s goals. Hegseth’s testimony was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, adding tension to the hearing. Senators pressed him on the duration of the conflict, the allocation of funds, and the existence of a clear exit strategy. On the ground, fighting continues to escalate. Iran has targeted neighboring countries with U.S. military bases, while U.S. forces have struck Iranian command centers, missile and drone sites, and air defenses. President Trump signaled further action, stating, “The U.S. will hit ‘Pickaxe Mountain’ very soon… and very heavily.” The site is a fortified underground complex near one of Iran’s main nuclear facilities.’For more on Hegseth’s hearing:
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified on Capitol Hill, stating that the Iran conflict has cost $37.5 billion to date, as the White House seeks $87.6 billion in emergency funding to continue military operations.
President Donald Trump emphasized the ongoing nature of the campaign, saying, “So if we left right now, it would take Iran 20, 25 years to rebuild. But we’re not finished at all.”
The conflict has escalated significantly, with nearly 100 U.S. service members injured since fighting reignited in early July and 18 killed since the war began in late February. Among the fallen is Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton from North Carolina, who was killed while disarming an Iranian drone in Iraq.
President Trump is expected to attend a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for the recently fallen service members. “I’ll be going to Dover for something that I feel is… it’s a great honor for me to do it,” Trump said.
The financial toll of the conflict is also mounting. Hegseth warned of critical consequences if the requested funds are not approved. “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 disruptions,” he said.
The funding request includes allocations for farmers and changes to voting laws. Meanwhile, House Republicans are working to pass a $95 billion package to support the president’s goals.
Hegseth’s testimony was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, adding tension to the hearing. Senators pressed him on the duration of the conflict, the allocation of funds, and the existence of a clear exit strategy.
On the ground, fighting continues to escalate. Iran has targeted neighboring countries with U.S. military bases, while U.S. forces have struck Iranian command centers, missile and drone sites, and air defenses. President Trump signaled further action, stating, “The U.S. will hit ‘Pickaxe Mountain’ very soon… and very heavily.” The site is a fortified underground complex near one of Iran’s main nuclear facilities.
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For more on Hegseth’s hearing: