By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-vought-wont-say-how-much-trump-has-spent-on-iran-war-so-far Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Vought won't say how much Trump has spent on Iran war so far Politics Apr 16, 2026 4:37 PM EDT Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, declined to tell lawmakers on the Senate Budget Committee in a hearing Thursday how much the federal government has spent on the Iran war so far. Watch the clip in the video player above. "We don't have that figures right now, I think in part because it's fluctuating on a day-in, day-out basis," he told Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. READ MORE: Israel and Lebanon reach 10-day ceasefire agreement, Trump says "You can't even give us a range," Murray said. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Vought said no, prompting Murray to say that Congress has to know how much is being spent so they can put their budgets together and make annual preparations. "I just find it outrageous that as director you're not willing to tell us what those costs are," she said. "It's your job to know." Vought, a key figure in the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the federal workforce, also defended the president's budget request in a House hearing Wednesday. WATCH: Hegseth says Americans 'see the success' in Iran President Donald Trump's funding wish list for fiscal year 2027 includes a staggering bump for defense spending — a nearly 50% increase to $1.5 trillion — to build his "dream military." The president's budget request is not final, but it does signal the Trump administration's priorities for the coming fiscal year. Though Trump has tried to exert more authority over spending in his second term, it's up to both chambers to revise and approve the final budget in the coming months. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He's also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, declined to tell lawmakers on the Senate Budget Committee in a hearing Thursday how much the federal government has spent on the Iran war so far. Watch the clip in the video player above. "We don't have that figures right now, I think in part because it's fluctuating on a day-in, day-out basis," he told Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. READ MORE: Israel and Lebanon reach 10-day ceasefire agreement, Trump says "You can't even give us a range," Murray said. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Vought said no, prompting Murray to say that Congress has to know how much is being spent so they can put their budgets together and make annual preparations. "I just find it outrageous that as director you're not willing to tell us what those costs are," she said. "It's your job to know." Vought, a key figure in the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the federal workforce, also defended the president's budget request in a House hearing Wednesday. WATCH: Hegseth says Americans 'see the success' in Iran President Donald Trump's funding wish list for fiscal year 2027 includes a staggering bump for defense spending — a nearly 50% increase to $1.5 trillion — to build his "dream military." The president's budget request is not final, but it does signal the Trump administration's priorities for the coming fiscal year. Though Trump has tried to exert more authority over spending in his second term, it's up to both chambers to revise and approve the final budget in the coming months. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now