Armed Services members in the dark on details of war costs

House and Senate panels have yet to receive Pentagon briefing on Iran war expenses

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:23pm

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The House and Senate Armed Services panels have yet to be briefed on the costs of the Iran war, members and aides said Thursday. Pentagon officials have provided an estimate of $11.3 billion for the war's first week to the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, but the Armed Services committees have not received detailed cost information.

Why it matters

The lack of briefings for the Armed Services panels reflects a dearth of strong congressional oversight of the Iran war under GOP majorities in both chambers, according to Democrats. They say it also shows a lack of Pentagon cooperation with Congress during President Donald Trump's second term.

The details

This week, Pentagon officials gave the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee an estimate of $11.3 billion for the war's first week. The Senate Armed Services Committee held a classified briefing on the overall war effort on Tuesday with Pentagon officials and top officers, but neither the House nor Senate Armed Services panels have received a briefing focused on the details of the war's costs.

  • The war entered its 13th day on Thursday.
  • The Senate Armed Services Committee held a classified briefing on the overall war effort on Tuesday.

The players

House Armed Services Committee

The House panel that authorizes nearly $1 trillion in annual defense spending and sets national security policies in law.

Senate Armed Services Committee

The Senate panel that authorizes nearly $1 trillion in annual defense spending and sets national security policies in law.

Adam Smith

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

Roger Wicker

The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Jack Reed

The Democratic ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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What they’re saying

“The Trump administration is not transparent. They do not share the information with Congress that they're supposed to share.”

— Adam Smith, Top Democrat, House Armed Services Committee (MS NOW)

“The question is being asked. The Senate Armed Services Committee would deliver "thorough oversight" of the war.”

— Roger Wicker, Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee (The Tribune)

“The American people deserve to know what this war is costing in blood and treasure.”

— Jack Reed, Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee (The Tribune)

“It is shockingly arrogant for the secretary of war to think he can send a note over to the Senate telling us how much money he expects to get without any accountability for how much he has already spent and what his plans are for the additional money he's asking for.”

— Elizabeth Warren, Member, Senate Armed Services Committee (The Tribune)

What’s next

The Senate Armed Services Committee has requested a cost estimate from the Pentagon, and the committee has promised to provide "thorough oversight" of the war.

The takeaway

The lack of transparency from the Pentagon on the costs of the Iran war has raised concerns among Democrats about the lack of congressional oversight, particularly from the House and Senate Armed Services committees that are responsible for authorizing defense spending and setting national security policies.