US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced direct questioning from lawmakers for the first time since the Trump administration began its war with Iran. The heated hearing before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday focused on the costs, strategy, and record military budget associated with the conflict. Although the session was originally scheduled to review the proposed 2027 defense budget, discussion shifted to the ongoing war that began on February 28.

Democratic members accused President Donald Trump of launching the costly war without congressional authorization. Representative Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania criticized Hegseth for avoiding congressional scrutiny over the conflict. Republican members, however, supported expanding drone and missile defense systems in response to the war. Lawmakers pressed Hegseth to clarify the war’s ultimate objective and questioned him about civilian casualties, including a recent airstrike on a school that killed 175 people. The hearing also addressed rising global fuel prices after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz.

Hegseth appeared alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Kane. Both are scheduled to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday regarding the defense budget and war situation.