Hegseth Sidesteps Murkowski Question About Backdoor War Authorization
21 July 2026 at 22:44
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Almost five months into President Donald Trumpβs war on Iran, the Trump administration still has not asked for authorization from Congress to continue hostilities. They, however, did present Congress with a supplemental request β which includes, among other things, an ask for $67.1 billion for the Department of Defense to fund Trumpβs war.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday afternoon on the details of the Pentagonβs request. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) used a significant portion of her time asking Hegseth if the administration plans to use an Iran war supplemental approved by Congress as a substitute for congressional authorization to continue the war.