Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth bypassed Congress and ignored public opposition during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
The confrontation highlights a growing rift between the Pentagon and legislative oversight regarding the financial and political sustainability of the conflict with Iran.
Gillibrand said the Pentagon has sidestepped congressional authority to pursue its strategy. She said the department is disregarding poll data indicating a majority of Americans oppose the war. During the exchange, Gillibrand demanded that the Pentagon add $200 billion [2] to its accounting of the conflict's impact.
Other lawmakers present at the Capitol Hill hearing questioned the overall cost and strategic direction of the military engagement. Some members cited an estimated cost of $25 billion [1] for the Iran war, creating a significant discrepancy with the figures demanded by Gillibrand.
The hearing focused on whether the executive branch is maintaining transparency with the legislature. Lawmakers pressed Hegseth on the long-term goals of the strategy and the accuracy of the budget reports provided to the committee.
Defense Secretary Hegseth faced questions regarding the legality of current operations and the extent to which the Pentagon is operating without explicit congressional approval. The tension reflects a broader debate over the War Powers Resolution and the ability of the U.S. government to sustain foreign interventions without a clear legislative mandate.
“Gillibrand accused the Pentagon of bypassing Congress and ignoring public opposition.”
The wide gap between the $25 billion and $200 billion figures suggests a fundamental disagreement over how the U.S. calculates the 'true cost' of war, including indirect spending, and long-term liabilities. This clash indicates that the Pentagon may face increased legislative resistance and stricter funding constraints if it cannot provide a transparent accounting of its strategy in Iran.
