Hegseth, Khanna spar over economic impact of Iran war |
Hegseth, Khanna spar over economic impact of Iran war
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the rising cost of the Iran war under fiery questioning from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) during a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday.
Khanna said the total cost of the war was likely well above the $25 billion figure that the Pentagon’s comptroller provided earlier in the hearing.
“Do you know how much it will cost Americans in terms of their increased cost in gas and food over the next year because of Iran?” Khanna asked.
Hegseth called it a “gotcha” question, asking Khanna, “What would you pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb?”
Khanna cited estimates that the war could cost some $631 billion to the U.S. economy, or some $5,000 per household.
“Will you acknowledge that there is an economic cost to the American people for doing what you believe is necessary to make Iran denuclear?” Khanna asked.
“We have an incredible economic team that’s managing this better than what the previous administration,” Hegseth said, before Khanna cut him off.
“You don’t know what we paid in terms of the missiles........