Defense Secretary and Joint Chiefs Chair Testify Before Congress

This C-SPAN hearing on May 12, 2026, featured testimony from Defense Secretary Pete Hexiff, General Dan Kaine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Under Secretary Jay Hurst regarding the Department of War's fiscal year 2027 budget request of $1.5 trillion. The discussion focused heavily on procurement and budget issues, including concerns about the bifurcated budget structure splitting discretionary and mandatory funding, the reliance on reconciliation bills for critical programs, and the need for timely and detailed spend plans, especially related to ongoing military operations such as the war in Iran. Committee members pressed for transparency on supplemental funding requests, munitions stockpiles, military construction costs, and the sustainment of key defense industrial base investments. The witnesses highlighted multi-year procurement agreements, private sector investments in manufacturing capacity, and efforts to modernize and maintain readiness across the joint force. The hearing also addressed strategic priorities including deterrence against China, support for allies, and the operational impacts of current conflicts. Several members expressed concern about the sustainability of funding levels and the management of the defense budget amid ongoing military engagements.