Hegseth to be Grilled by Congress      04/29 06:07

   Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will face questioning from lawmakers 
Wednesday for the first time since the Trump administration launched the war 
against Iran, which Democrats have contested as a costly conflict of choice 
waged without congressional approval.

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will face questioning from 
lawmakers Wednesday for the first time since the Trump administration launched 
the war against Iran, which Democrats have contested as a costly conflict of 
choice waged without congressional approval.

   The hearing before the House Armed Services Committee is being held to 
discuss the administration's 2027 military budget proposal, which would boost 
defense spending to a historic $1.5 trillion. Hegseth and the chairman of the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, are expected to stress the need for more 
drones, missile defense systems and warships.

   Democrats are likely to pivot to the ballooning costs of the Iran war, huge 
drawdown of critical U.S. munitions and bombing of a school that killed 
children. Some lawmakers also may question how prepared the military was to 
shoot down swarms of Iranian drones, some of which penetrated U.S. defenses and 
killed or injured American troops.

   While a ceasefire is now in place, the U.S. and Israel launched the war Feb. 
28 without congressional oversight. House and Senate Democrats have failed to 
pass multiple war power resolutions that would have required President Donald 
Trump to halt the conflict until Congress authorizes further action.

   Republicans have said they will keep faith in Trump's wartime leadership, 
for now, citing Iran's nuclear program, the potential for talks to resume and 
the high stakes of withdrawal. Still, GOP lawmakers are eager for the conflict 
to end, and some are eyeing future votes that could become an important test 
for the president if the war drags on.

   Iran's closing of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping corridor for the 
world's oil, has sent fuel prices skyrocketing and posed problems for 
Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The U.S. has responded with a Navy 
blockade of Iranian shipping and further built up its military forces in the 
region -- with three aircraft carriers in the Middle East for the first time in 
more than 20 years.

   The countries appear locked in a stalemate, with Trump unlikely to accept 
Tehran's latest offer to reopen the strait if the U.S. ends the war, lifts its 
sea blockade and postpones nuclear talks.

   Hegseth has avoided public questioning from lawmakers about the war, 
although he and Caine have held televised Pentagon briefings. Hegseth has 
mostly taken questions from conservative journalists, while citing Bible 
passages to castigate mainstream outlets.

   The defense secretary will face a much different dynamic Wednesday as well 
as on Thursday, when he and Caine also are set to face the Senate Armed 
Services Committee. Lawmakers' questions are likely to go beyond the budget and 
even the war to Hegseth's ousting of top military leaders.

   Besides Navy Secretary John Phelan's departure last week, Hegseth recently 
ousted the Army's top uniformed officer, Gen. Randy George, as well as several 
other top generals, admirals and defense leaders.

   "Tell us why. You know these are important positions. We are in a war 
posture with Iran," said North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican.

   Tillis, who was a crucial vote to confirming the defense secretary, added 
that Hegseth's management of the Pentagon had caused him to have second 
thoughts on his support.

   "He may be able to clean it up, but on its face, you don't go through the 
number of highly reputable, senior-level officials, admirals and generals," 
Tillis added.

   Rep. Austin Scott, a Georgia Republican, condemned George's termination 
during a House Armed Services Committee hearing last week, saying that "some of 
us are not through asking the questions about that."

   "I think the firing of Gen. George was an extreme disservice to the United 
States Army," Scott said. "And I think it was reckless conduct."