Hegseth's Pentagon Budget Hearing: Tensions Rise

0:00It's April 27th. This is U.S. News Today, driven by AI tracking America in real time. War Secretary Pete Higgsf heads to Capitol Hill this week, testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday and the Senate the next. Day, he's pushing President Trump's massive $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request, the first time he's faced lawmakers since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran kicked off. Joining him in the Senate will be Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Cain and Acting Controller Jules W. Hurst, the third. The budget pumps huge cash into key areas, like $750 billion for the Golden Dome Missile Shield, over $100 billion for planes and research, and tens of billions each for drones, counter drones, and building 18 new warships, plus 16 support ships. Meanwhile, some Republicans are getting vocal about Hexess leadership style, with private doubts growing in the Senate GOP. Lawmakers worry he's hollowing out top military talent, creating real tension at a critical

1:02time. Critics point to the firing of former Army Chief of Staff Randy George as a breaking point, in North Carolina Senator Tom Tillis called out the. Sightlining of top generals, saying Hexf is missing the mark on personnel picks. These hearings could shape his future, but Republicans stressed the final call, stays with Trump as the defense push moves forward.