The United States is seeking an additional Sh11.22 trillion from Congress to keep its military campaign against Iran running, after already spending about Sh4.84 trillion on the conflict as troop deaths and injuries continue to mount.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the request while appearing before the US Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, his first appearance before lawmakers since the United States stepped up its bombing campaign against Iran. He said the fresh funding would help sustain military operations in the Middle East as the conflict continues.
Hegseth told lawmakers that the roughly Sh4.84 trillion already spent covers both the cost of the war so far and expected expenses up to September 30.
He added that the Pentagon is now asking Congress to approve another Sh11.22 trillion in supplemental funding, with about Sh8.64 trillion set aside for military operations across the Middle East.
"The approximately Sh4.84 trillion already spent includes both the cost of the war so far and projected expenses through September 30. The Pentagon is seeking an additional Sh11.22 trillion from Congress, with about Sh8.64 trillion of that amount earmarked to support US military operations in the Middle East." Hegseth told Congress.
The request comes as the Trump administration faces growing pressure over the rising financial burden of the war and increasing casualties, with the US midterm elections now six months away.
According to the Pentagon, 18 American service members have been killed since the conflict began, while about 430 have been injured. The department said 100 of those injuries were recorded after July 7, adding that 96 per cent of the affected troops have since returned to active duty.
During the hearing, lawmakers questioned the administration's handling of the conflict and sought more clarity on its military objectives.
Democratic Senator Patty Murray criticised the administration's approach, saying: "The president is threatening escalation and war crimes, and suggesting this could be another forever war."
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also challenged what she described as conflicting statements from the administration over the direction of the war.
"The reason why they (people) are so upset with you and this administration is that the words you have used in the past don't add up. It's either over, or it's not over. It's within two weeks, or it's not two weeks, it's either missiles or it's not missiles." She stated.
Hegseth warned lawmakers that failing to approve the requested funding would affect the military's ability to maintain its operations.
He said delays in funding could force the Pentagon to scale back training programmes, slow equipment maintenance and affect future defence investments.
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the committee that while service members would continue receiving their salaries, maintaining military equipment and expanding defence capabilities would become more difficult without additional funding.
Hegseth also urged Congress to approve the emergency funding request alongside the Pentagon's proposed Sh193.5 trillion defence budget for 2027, saying continued investment in the military remains necessary as the conflict continues.