Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) branded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth a “failure” on Tuesday, accusing him of having “no strategy” and “no long-term plan” to win the war against Iran while seeking nearly $70 billion more from Congress.
Peters Challenges Funding And War Strategy
“Secretary Hegseth, despite your failure to win this war, you are back now before Congress asking for almost $70 billion in additional funding,” Peters said during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing attended by Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
Peters called the request a “blank check” and said the Trump administration had produced an “utter and complete failure to win this war to this point.”
Hegseth rejected the criticism, saying it “smears the sacrifice” of U.S. troops. “Shame on you and others who call this a quagmire and a failure and then you want to turn around and say you support the warfighter,” he said.
“You, sir, are the failure. Not the men and women who are on that front line,” Peters replied. “You don’t have a strategy. You don’t have a long-term plan to actually win this war.”
Hegseth Blames Democrats Amid Funding Clash
Hegseth blamed the stalemate on the “political cowardice of Democrats” and said the Pentagon faced shortages without additional money. He told senators the conflict had cost the United States $37.5 billion, including projected expenses through Sept. 30. The administration has requested nearly $90 billion overall, with most tied to Iran.
Peters cited 17 U.S. military deaths during the hearing, including troops killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan. The military later identified a previously missing soldier as believed dead, raising the official toll to 18, with roughly 430 troops injured.
President Donald Trump separately compared the conflict with past wars on Truth Social, writing, “Iran Military Conflict: 4 months, 18 DEAD.” The post drew criticism from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Ceasefire Collapse Keeps Regional Pressure High
The confrontation followed the collapse of a Pakistan-mediated 60-day ceasefire framework. U.S. and Iranian forces have resumed daily strikes, while shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to pressure global energy markets.
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