Carbajal Questions Trump Administration on Iran War During Committee Hearing

During today's House Armed Services Committee hearing, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) questioned Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman and Admiral Brad Cooper, the Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), about the cost of the ongoing war in Iran, the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and the current status of U.S. humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza.

The hearing, entitled "U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in the Greater Middle East and Africa", examines Defense Department policies, programs, and activities in the Greater Middle East and Africa in preparation for negotiations on the 2027 defense budget.

Download a video clip of Rep. Carbajal's questions here. See the full hearing here.

A rough transcript is available below:

Rep. Carbajal
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the witnesses for being here today. You know, it's interesting to hear that during Biden and Obama, there were challenges, gas prices were high, and that was terrible back then, but now it's okay. Now it's okay. Talking about partisanship, I think it's important to understand what's being said. I want to start by expressing my condolences to the families of the 13 service members who lost their lives in this war, and of the two service members who passed away during the training exercises earlier this month in Africa. Admiral Cooper, I also want to thank you and all the men and women serving under you for your service to our nation during this difficult time and a misguided war. We are quickly approaching three months of deeply unpopular war, a war that still has no clear objectives and end in sight. A war that is costing billions of taxpayer dollars, a war that is driving up the cost of living for every American, especially at the pump. This war was not authorized or budgeted, which means the Department will be asking Congress for a supplemental funding package on top of the proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027. Secretary Zimmerman, we know the cost of oil has gone up globally, with some estimates over 55%. How much has this increase in oil cost CENTCOM directly over the duration of Operation Epic Fury, and now into Operation Project Freedom?

Secretary Zimmerman
Congressman, I would be happy to take that question back and get you as accurate an answer as I can.

Rep. Carbajal
Is there any percentage in the increase of cost? Anything?

Secretary Zimmerman
I think I'll have to get back to you on that.

Rep. Carbajal
I don't think that anyone is questioning that Iran's military capabilities have been severely degraded over the course of this campaign. Yet, despite the intense bombing campaign and the apparent eradication of Iran's navy, they are still able to blockade the Strait of Hormuz and hold targets around the region at risk. Admiral Cooper, do we possess the military capability to open the Strait of Hormuz against a military that has been severely weakened?

Admiral Cooper
Congressman, I wouldn't want to talk about any specific capability, but broadly speaking, we have - we are well postured to execute military operations across virtually any contingent.

Rep. Carbajal
But the Strait of Hormuz is still closed.

Admiral Cooper
Congressman, the Strait of Hormuz, in the last couple of weeks, has had multiple instances of ships passing through, including U.S. destroyers, U.S. flagships, and just last night…

Rep. Carbajal
Secretary Zimmerman, earlier this month, there were reports that the Civil-Military Coordination Center, or the CMCC, was set to be shut down. The administration denied these reports. Can you confirm whether the CMCC is actually closed or there is a plan that it will be absorbed into another entity?

Secretary Zimmerman
Congressman, my understanding is no final decision has been made along those lines, and the thing I would like to say is that first of all, as has been said before, no one does more to protect civilians in a wartime scenario, in a conflict scenario, than the United States. And we are moving, if I may borrow a phrase, actually from, from the Admiral, we are moving from compliance to culture. The principles that are inherent in protecting civilians are now baked into our processes in a way that hadn't been before.

Rep. Carbajal
Let me, let me continue. How much is the CMCC currently overseeing the distribution of humanitarian aid into Gaza? What are the current obstacles to aid delivery, and how would the closing of the CMCC affect aid delivery?

Secretary Zimmerman
Can I defer to you on that? Let me defer to Admiral Cooper on that.

Admiral Cooper
So, the CMCC plays an indispensable role in both stabilization and the coordination of the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Since its inception, more than 70 countries and international organizations are in the CMCC.

Rep. Carbajal
Admiral, what are they doing right now?

Admiral Cooper
They are helping to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and keep the ceasefire in effect, which has been successful for the last seven months.

Rep. Carbajal
How much aid has been delivered in the last six months?

Admiral Cooper
I can come back with the exact number, but back in December, the IPC, who is the oversight organization for aid, said that famine is no longer a threat in Gaza. I think it's a reflection of U.S. service members' absolute commitment to this mission, which has gone extremely well.

Rep. Carbajal
Thank you. Mr. Chair, I yield back.