U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is set to testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday for the first time since the war with Iran began.

The hearing will focus on the administration’s proposed 2027 defense budget, which aims to increase military spending to $1.5 trillion.

Democrats have criticized the conflict as a “costly war of choice” carried out without congressional approval.

Hegseth, alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine, is expected to argue for increased defense funding, emphasizing the need for drones, missile defense systems, and naval capabilities.