Pentagon tells lawmakers it needs $80 billion for Iran war, other expenses: WSJ
The full cost of the conflict, which the U.S. launched alongside Israel on Feb. 28, has remained an open question on Capitol Hill.
Pentagon & Congress
Senate eyes Hegseth travel cuts without probes into Iran school bombing, boat strikes
Senate lawmakers added a provision in the NDAA that would restrict Hegseth's travel expenses until the department releases certain operational information.
Pentagon open to Poland’s offer to host permanent U.S. base, Polish minister says
Poland has been pushing for a bigger allied presence on NATO’s eastern flank after Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine in 2022.
Republicans blast Iran agreement as details emerge
One Republican senator called the framework pact announced this week the “worst foreign policy blunder in decades.”
Senate committee proposes 3.6% military pay raise, rejecting White House request for more
The Senate is proposing a lower raise for troops than what was requested, but its bill sets aside additional funding for military quality-of-life programs.
Senate advances effort to investigate use of JAG officers as immigration judges
A new measure would require an investigation into how roughly 600 military lawyers were used as immigration judges and special assistant U.S. attorneys.
Hegseth announces review of US troops in Europe, scorns some allies
The comments offer new insights into the internal mechanics Trump administration have in mind for re-evaluating force levels on the continent.
Read the 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran
The 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran leaves contentious issues between the countries unresolved.
Senate, House defense bills seek to prevent renaming of US Navy vessels
A section of the FY27 NDAA includes a provision that the Navy secretary may only change the name of a ship with the consent of the Senate.
Doorstep grocery delivery expanding to all US commissaries
The service will roll out in phases to all U.S. commissaries by the end of September.
Congress seeks to limit US Navy vessels built in foreign shipyards
The Senate Armed Services Committee seeks to strip the waiver authority granted to the president to approve offshore ship construction.
Pentagon demands human performance data from services in fitness overhaul
The Pentagon has quietly set in motion a yearlong strategy to unify the military services’ approach to achieving what it calls “Total Force Fitness.”
Fair winds, INDOPACOM: Pentagon returns command name to US Pacific Command
U.S. Pacific Command was the formation's official name until 2018, when it was changed to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Lawmakers aim to ease state-to-state moves for military homeschoolers
The Republican proposal would exempt military families from conflicting state laws on homeschooling, as long as they remain in compliance with one state.
US won’t soften military posture in Middle East despite Iran agreement
Nearly 50,000 U.S. troops are positioned across the region, according to Adm. Brad Cooper, head of Central Command.
Iran, US agree to halt war and reopen Hormuz
The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland.
Only 1 in 4 F-35s is fully mission capable, GAO finds
The F-35’s readiness rates continued to decline through fiscal 2025, with the fleet’s full mission capable rate falling to 25%, according to a GAO report.
