LIVE: Hegseth, Caine testify to the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee

$1.5 trillion budget targets 4.5% of GDP

The request represents the first defense budget in over 40 years to reach 4-4.5% of GDP, breaking the post-WWII trend of declining investment relative to economic output.

China's shipbuilding dominance dwarfs US capacity

China constructs 47% of global ships while the US builds just one-tenth of 1%, placing American capacity behind countries like Croatia and the Netherlands.

Funding both sustainment and modernization

The proposal includes a 76% increase in procurement and a 24% boost in operations and maintenance to end the vicious cycle of pitting readiness against modernization.

Democrats decry Iran war as strategic failure

Critics argued the full-scale Middle East conflict has killed 13 US service members and thousands of civilians without disabling Iran's nuclear program or ballistic missile capabilities.

False claims of Iranian agreement disputed

The ranking member challenged presidential assertions that Iran had agreed to abandon its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, noting Tehran had not even agreed to meet with US negotiators.

Tactical success versus strategic victory

While acknowledging military proficiency in striking targets, critics warned that winning battles without a diplomatic plan risks losing the broader war while 50,000 troops remain at risk.

Pentagon audit failures raise spending doubts

Skeptics questioned whether the department could absorb a 50-60% funding increase when it has never passed a comprehensive audit and struggles with acquisition reform.

National debt undermines security priorities

With $40 trillion in federal debt and recent tax cuts reducing revenue, critics argued the fiscal trajectory poses a greater long-term threat to national security than any military adversary.

Diplomatic isolation from key allies

The administration was accused of gratuitously insulting NATO leaders like President Macron and sidelining the State Department while demanding allied support for unilateral military actions.