Missouri’s two U.S. senators are weighing in as Congress considers the possibility of additional funding for military operations against Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers this week the conflict has cost about $37.5 billion so far and argued additional funding will be needed to replenish military stockpiles and maintain readiness.
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said he wants more information before Congress considers any future funding request.
“I don’t have visibility into what we are doing. I don’t know what our plans are,” Hawley told Missourinet. “I assume that before they put this to a vote in future days, they will provide that information. But at this point, I just don’t have any of the facts to form a judgment on that. And I look forward to getting them.”
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said maintaining military readiness remains a priority as threats continue to evolve.
“Dealing with the sort of the new drone environment. We don’t make enough things fast enough,” Schmitt told Missourinet. “I generally support the appropriations that allow us to have the best weapons so that it’s an unfair fight for our war fighters if they’re ever called on to serve and defend this country.”
Schmitt said he has not seen specific details of any funding proposal but expressed support for the Pentagon’s overall approach.
“I’m not seeing any specifics on that front, but I also think it’s interesting that the Democrats never questioned at all the $200 billion that we’ve sent to Ukraine,” Schmitt said. “And we’ve got a lot of work to do on that front. I think the leadership at the Pentagon, they’re being smarter on procurement.”
Congress has not yet received a formal request for additional Iran war funding. Hegseth told lawmakers this week that additional resources may be needed to support ongoing operations and rebuild military stockpiles.