As Gas Prices Rise, Durbin Presses Defense Secretary Hegseth, Chair Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff General Caine About The Rationale For The Iran War

As Gas Prices Rise, Durbin Presses Defense Secretary Hegseth, Chair Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff General Caine About The Rationale For The Iran War

In today's Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Durbin also urged the DoD to obligate bipartisan appropriated FY26 funds for Ukraine and the Baltics

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today participated in a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Defense (DoD) where he questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine. Durbin first brought up international security cooperation. Durbin urged Secretary Hegseth and General Caine to obligate the stalled $400 million in security assistance funding in the FY 2026 defense appropriations bill for Ukraine. Durbin also inquired about the $200 million appropriated by Congress in FY 2026 for the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI), a program he first created in 2021 and that was codified in the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

"I would like to ask… about the $200 million in that same appropriation bill (FY26) designated for the Baltic Security Initiative. Has that money been released?" Durbin asked.

Secretary Hegseth responded that if "it has not been, it should be." Jules Hurst, performing the duties of the Undersecretary of Defense/Comptroller, responded that the Department is making sure "we have sufficient funds in the account."

Durbin followed up by stating that he will work with DoD to ensure those funds go toward the BSI, amid reports that the Trump Administration continues to delay security cooperation support to our allies.

Durbin then asked about the President's war of choice in Iran. The war has cost nearly $29 billion, with 14 U.S. military personnel tragically killed, and a tenuous ceasefire in place.

"General Caine, the President has claimed on several occasions over the past couple months that this war is over-has this conflict [with Iran] concluded? What were the goals of the U.S. conflict in Iran and have we achieved them?" Durbin asked.

General Caine reiterated that the goal is to target Iran's ballistic missile system. He also deferred to the President and Secretary Hegseth on "strategic" objectives.

"Do you feel the situation in the Strait of Hormuz indicates a victory on our side?" Durbin asked.

In his response, General Caine dodged the Senator's question.

Durbin then asked about the rising costs of gasoline and the financial strain Americans are under because of this war.

"Can you explain to the American people who are facing these gasoline and diesel oil prices what is going on… as the Strait of Hormuz is at a standstill with 1,500 tankers waiting for permission or a peaceful circumstance to navigate?" Durbin asked.

General Caine responded, "it's a case where Iran is choosing to hold the world's economy hostage."

"Can you explain to the American people why with the vast investment we have made in the national defense and military [defense], how Iran, after they were attacked by us, is still capable of stopping the traffic in the Strait of Hormuz?" Durbin asked.

General Caine responded that is a "complex situation out there." And he again stated that Iran is "holding the global economy hostage through the Strait." He continued to say that Iran has the choice to open the Straits.

"They certainly do [have that choice]. I guess the question in my mind is-as we talk about a trillion dollar plus budget for our military, it appears that a very small budget is holding us hostage in the Strait of Hormuz," Durbin concluded.

Video of Durbin's questions in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin's questions in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin's question in Committee is available here for TV stations.

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