Congressional Democrats pushed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Senate committee hearing Thursday to justify a proposed $1.5 trillion military spending plan amid the United State’s ongoing war with Iran.
Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly asked why such a budget was needed, and how long it would take to restock weapons stockpiles used during the conflict.
The U.S. has reportedly hit tens of thousands of targets in Iran, diminishing stashes of sophisticated weapons. Hegseth told Kelly that it would take months to years to replenish U.S. ammunition.
Kelly criticized Hegseth’s approach to the war.
“The straight of Hormuz is closed. The Iranian Regime is in place. The nuclear material, still in their hands. Americans are being crushed by higher costs. And it’s not clear to them at all what the goal of this war is." Kelly said.
Kelly sued Hegseth earlier this year, claiming the defense secretary has sought to punish the senator for his political views. Neither mentioned the lawsuit in the hearing.
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