DID Press: Democratic lawmakers in US Congress have criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying he lacks awareness of the full economic impact of the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Lawmakers reacted after Hegseth stated that the war has cost the US military around $25 billion so far. Representative Ro Khanna said the secretary appeared unable to answer questions about broader costs borne by taxpayers, including rising fuel and food prices.
Khanna described the situation as “incredible,” arguing that senior defense officials should have a clearer understanding of the financial burden of military operations.
Another Democratic lawmaker, Mark DeSaulnier, said the funds spent on the conflict could have been redirected toward reducing healthcare costs for millions of Americans. He added that the war has also resulted in the deaths of 14 US service members, increased fuel prices, and raised concerns about domestic security.