U.S.Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the war with Iran has now cost approximately US$37.5 billion and argued that Congress should approve additional emergency military funding.

His testimony came as Republicans advanced a proposed US$95 billion budget package that would finance military operations, provide aid to farmers affected by tariffs, and support changes to U.S.voting laws.

Hegseth described the supplemental funding as essential to avoid operational shortfalls and presented it alongside President Donald Trump's proposed US$1.5 trillion defence budget as a long-term investment in the armed forces.

During the hearing, several protesters interrupted proceedings, while Democratic lawmakers sharply criticized the administration's handling of the conflict.

Senator Patty Murray warned that the United States risks becoming involved in another prolonged war and questioned repeated assurances from President Trump that the conflict would soon end.The hearing also highlighted growing concerns over the human and financial costs of the war, with the Pentagon reporting 17 U.S.service members killed and more than 100 injured since early July, while other lawmakers cited hundreds of total injuries since the conflict began.

Additional issues raised included delays in military promotions, transparency surrounding wartime casualties, and calls for the release of a Pentagon report into an attack on an Iranian school.

Republicans are attempting to move the budget through the reconciliation process despite Democratic opposition, although some fiscal conservatives have expressed concerns that the proposal would increase federal deficits because the new spending is not offset by reductions elsewhere.