Hegseth Courts Congress on $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget After Months of Snubs
🎖️ PENTAGON — The man who stonewalled Congress is now asking it for $1.5 trillion. 📌 LOOK CLOSER: Hegseth's reversal signals the budget is in trouble — a $1.5T ask after a $34-42B unbudgeted war with 50-48 war powers erosion needs votes he burned. Senate Republicans who defected on war powers are the same ones he needs now. The ask reframes Iran war costs as future deterrence — but the medevac numbers are still running.
