House Republicans scheduled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to testify at a Pentagon budget hearing on April 29, the first public appearance by a Trump administration official since Iran attacks began. The timing coincides with the 60-day window for unilateral military action without Congressional approval, drawing scrutiny over war costs and strategy. Democrats demanded a separate oversight hearing, citing opacity around troop deployment plans and escalating expenses, but GOP leaders insisted budget sessions would suffice.

The hearing, featuring Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, marks a rare concession by Republicans who previously blocked oversight. Lawmakers acknowledged growing unease as the war drags into its second month, with some requesting daily expenditure reports that the Pentagon refused to provide. $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget requests for 2027 remain unclear in scope, complicating efforts to assess war funding impacts.

Republican leaders framed the hearing as routine, but Democrats and some GOP moderates signaled frustration over delayed accountability. Representative Jodey Arrington, chair of the Budget Committee, admitted uncertainty about war spending totals, stating, "I wish I did," underscoring administrative reluctance to disclose financial details.

Tensions reflect broader clashes over executive power and wartime transparency. While Trump emphasizes military expansion, lawmakers face pressure to justify funding without visibility into operational decisions. The standoff highlights challenges in balancing national security priorities with democratic accountability in an evolving conflict landscape.