Hegseth Won't Say Whether Parents Should Forgo Childcare to Cover Defense Budget

"“The $1.5 trillion budget will ensure the United States continues to maintain the world's most powerful and capable military.” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth began his speech by defending Trump's $1.5 trillion budget request during the first hearing of the day before the House Appropriations Committee."

"“President Trump inherited a defense industrial base that had been hollowed out by years of America-last policies,” Hegseth went on, adding that the Trump administration is “reversing this systemic decay and putting our defense industrial base back on a wartime footing.”"

"Rep. Pete Aguilar asked Hurst for an updated estimate of the cost of the war. Hurst responded that the cost of the war has risen “closer” to $29 billion dollars, up from $25 billion from the previous hearing on April 29. Hurst claimed that the additional $4 billion dollars is due to “repair and equipment costs” and “general operational costs.”"

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before House and Senate Appropriations Committees regarding the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and defended President Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request. He said the budget would keep the United States as the world’s most powerful and capable military. Hegseth claimed Trump inherited a defense industrial base hollowed out by prior policies and said the administration is reversing systemic decay by putting the industrial base back on a wartime footing. General Dan Caine and acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst III also testified. In response to a question about war costs, Hurst estimated the cost has risen closer to $29 billion from $25 billion, attributing the additional $4 billion to repair and equipment costs and general operational costs.

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