US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate, revealing the US-Israel war on Iran has cost $37.5bn and requesting $88bn in supplemental funding. Lawmakers expressed fury over rising costs, 17 American deaths, and the conflict's spiraling nature, questioning the administration's strategy and constitutional authority.
The US House Committee on Appropriations has proposed a $2 billion defense bill for Taiwan, including $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative for medical support, training, and joint uncrewed systems development, and another $1 billion for replacing defense articles.
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) faces a tough re-election bid against Democrat Graham Platner, with implications for Senate control and Trump's agenda. Collins' ability to secure federal funding for Maine is a key campaign point, but Platner critiques her votes and donations, leveraging anti-Trump sentiment.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sought to quell fears in Senate testimony on Wednesday that American technology was aiding China’s military, but drew scepticism given the US president’s willingness to sell advanced semiconductors. Lutnick asserted before the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee that US President Donald Trump was striking a “delicate balance” on the technology transfer issue given his cordial personal relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, claiming that China has...
