Hegseth on seeking $200 billion for Iran war: "That number could move"
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Hegseth during Thursday's press conference. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the Pentagon would ask Congress for more money to wage war in Iran, though he said the reported $200 billion figure "could move."
Why it matters: A request on that scale would likely face stiff opposition from many Democrats and some Republicans, given the unpopularity of the war and the fact that it would be in addition to the Pentagon's existing $1 trillion budget.
Driving the news: The Washington Post reported on Wednesday night that the Pentagon had asked the White House to send a request for more than $200 billion to Congress.
- Hegseth confirmed the Pentagon was seeking more money to accelerate production of weapons systems the U.S. and Israel have expended during the war, and ensure adequate stockpiles in future.
- The cost of the war thus far has reportedly run into the billions, but nowhere near $200 billion.
What they're saying: "As far as $200 billion I think that number could move," Hegseth said at a press conference on Thursday.
- "Obviously it takes money to kill bad guys, so we're going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that we're properly funded for what's been done, for what we may have to do in the future, ensure that our ammunition is refilled, and not just refilled, but above and beyond."
What to watch: The request could turn into a referendum on the war in Congress.
- Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) called the $200 billion figure "a little tall" in a Fox Business interview. "They do need to come to … Capitol Hill and tell us what that money is going to be spent on. I think we give the Pentagon a trillion dollars a year, you would think that would be enough, but we're going to have to do something."
By the numbers: $200 billion is more than the annual defense spending of every country on Earth except the U.S. and China, and many times more than even some of the world's largest militaries spend.
