War Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, making the case for a sweeping $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request amid growing unease among some Republicans over his leadership, The Hill reported on Monday.
The Senate appearance will follow testimony a day earlier before the House Armed Services Committee, marking Hegseth's first time addressing lawmakers on Capitol Hill since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began.
The hearings come at a pivotal moment for the Pentagon chief, who is facing increased scrutiny from lawmakers in his own party.
Hegseth will be joined at the Senate hearing by Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine and acting Pentagon comptroller Jules W. Hurst III, according to a source familiar with the plans.
At the center of the testimony is President Donald Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget, a massive funding request aimed at expanding U.S. military capabilities across multiple domains.
The proposal includes $750 billion for the "Golden Dome" missile defense system, $102 billion for aircraft procurement and research, almost $75 billion for drone and counter-drone technologies, and $65 billion for new naval construction, including 18 warships and 16 support vessels.
The Pentagon is also seeking funding for 85 F-35 fighter jets annually, along with continued development of next-generation platforms — such as the B-21 bomber and the F-47 fighter.
The high-stakes hearings unfold as an increasing number of Senate Republicans privately question Hegseth's leadership, The Hill reported.
According to lawmakers speaking anonymously, support within the GOP conference has eroded to the point where some believe he would struggle to win confirmation if nominated today.
One major point of concern has been what critics describe as a "hollowing out" of senior military leadership, including the recent removal of former Army Chief of Staff Randy George.
"The hollowing out of incredible leadership at the Pentagon has been a big concern," one Republican senator said, adding that George's dismissal marked a "tipping point."
Tensions have also been fueled by Hegseth's ongoing feud with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, a close ally of Vice President JD Vance, raising further questions about internal cohesion at the War Department.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., publicly voiced concern over personnel decisions, saying Hegseth has sidelined key military leaders.
"I think he's missing the mark on personnel," Tillis said. "He has separated some of the most extraordinary generals that we've had in play. I don't quite know what's going on there."
Despite the criticism, Republican lawmakers have emphasized that any decision on Hegseth's future ultimately rests with Trump.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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