Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine testify before Senate panel on budget — 5/12/26

Summary

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing on the FY2027 defense budget request. Senators questioned Secretary Hegseth and General Caine on the cost of the Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz closure, munitions spending, and strained alliances. The hearing highlighted partisan divisions over budget priorities and war strategy.

• The administration requested $1.5 trillion for FY2027 defense, with $350 billion in reconciliation.
• Senators expressed concern over the lack of a spend plan for $400 million in Ukraine aid.
• The Strait of Hormuz remains closed due to Iranian drone and fast-boat threats, impacting global oil prices.
• Multiple senators criticized the reliance on reconciliation funding for core procurement like F-35s and munitions.
• Secretary Hegseth defended the war in Iran as necessary to prevent a nuclear weapon.
• General Caine declined to comment on classified battle damage assessments or private advice to the president.
• Bipartisan concern emerged about the administration's distancing from NATO allies and the impact on deterrence.
• The hearing ended with a commitment to provide a spend plan for Ukraine aid within a week.