Hegseth says Iran war has cost $37.5 billion as lawmakers grill him over request for more funding

Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Nathaniel Reed, KXXV (ABC 25) News · July 22, 2026 · 2 min read

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress Tuesday that the U.S. war against Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far, as lawmakers from both parties pushed back on the Trump administration's request for additional funding to pay for the conflict. Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee...

Why this matters in The Waco

For Waco residents, the ongoing debate over funding for the Iran war has tangible implications for the local economy. As lawmakers consider the Trump administration's request for $80 billion in additional funds, taxpayers in McLennan County may wonder how this will affect their own wallets. With the war already costing $37.5 billion, the prospect of increased military spending could lead to higher prices at the pump and grocery store, as Sen. Chris Coons noted. This could be particularly felt in Waco, where many residents commute to work or rely on transportation for daily needs. Additionally, the potential impact on local businesses and families who may have loved ones serving overseas cannot be ignored. As the Senate Appropriations Committee continues to deliberate on the funding request, Waco residents should pay close attention to how their elected representatives weigh in on the issue and its potential effects on the local community.

About this story

Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News. The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 22, 2026 · Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News · Reading time: 2 min

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This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.

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Summary created by	The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Nathaniel Reed, KXXV (ABC 25) News
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 22, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 22, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Hegseth says Iran war has cost $37.5 billion as lawmakers grill him over request for more funding

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