Addressing reports the Pentagon is seeking the extra Iran-related funding, Hegseth said, ‘Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys.’
ARLINGTON, Va.—Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed the Pentagon is pursuing as much as $200 billion in supplemental funding to cover costs from ongoing U.S. military operations against Iran.
Multiple news outlets had previously reported the Pentagon is seeking the supplemental appropriation to address the ongoing conflict.
“As far as $200 billion, I think that number could move,” Hegseth said. “Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys. So, we’re going back to Congress, and our folks there, to ensure that we’re properly funded for what’s been done, for what we may have to do in the future.”
Hegseth said the funding would not only refill munitions stockpiles that U.S. forces have expended in the course of the ongoing fighting, but bring those stocks “above and beyond” where they were before the conflict began.
“An investment like this is meant to say, ‘Hey, we’ll replace anything that was spent,’ and now that we’re reviving our defense industrial base and rebuilding the arsenal of freedom and cutting deals … we’re going to be refilled faster than anyone imagined,” he added.
The plans for the supplemental military funding appear to still be taking shape, and lawmakers have offered few specifics about where discussions stand.
Last week, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told reporters he hadn’t heard much about a request for additional military funding and said the matter “doesn’t seem to be on the front burner.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), on March 18, told reporters that lawmakers are awaiting a formal request for supplemental funding from President Donald Trump’s administration. Scalise noted the normal appropriations process for fiscal year 2027 is set to begin soon.
In another comment on March 18, Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) noted growing talk of a supplemental request, but reiterated no formal request had emerged.
When asked about recent comments by National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, that there’s no need yet for additional Iran-related military funding, Reed predicted the Trump administration could change its view with short notice.
“I think the White House timeframe is about 20 minutes or 30 minutes ahead. So right now we don’t need it. But 20 minutes from now?” Reed told The Epoch Times.
By Ryan Morgan
