Senate Armed Services Committee

Senator Blumenthal is demanding Tesla be held accountable for an alleged self-driving crash. The incident was discussed during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 30.

President Trump's $87.6 billion Iran war funding request faces skepticism from both parties in Congress. Democrats like Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Jack Reed criticize the proposal, while some Democrats remain open to parts of it. Republicans also express concerns, including Rep. Chip Roy opposing ethanol provisions and Sen. Susan Collins planning a hearing due to discrepancies in the request.

Senators are blocking portions of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's travel funds until the Pentagon releases overdue reports on civilian harm investigations, including a 2026 strike on an Iranian elementary school that killed over 165 people. The National Defense Authorization Act also demands unedited video of U.S. strikes near Venezuela and investigations into other incidents, with lawmakers citing accountability and past errors.

Senators are seeking to block Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's travel funds until the Pentagon releases overdue reports on civilian harm investigations, including a deadly 2026 strike on an elementary school in Iran. The Senate bill also demands unedited video of Venezuela boat strikes and investigations into Yemen strikes, as Congress pushes for accountability over incidents involving civilian casualties.

Senate lawmakers are restricting Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s travel funding until he provides civilian harm investigations into a February 2025 U.S. missile strike on an Iranian girls’ school and unedited video of Latin American boat strikes. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved a provision in the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act reducing Hegseth’s travel funding by 75% until the reports are submitted, passing 18-9. The strike killed at least 165 people, mostly schoolgirls, and is under Pentagon investigation.

Republican senators and Trump allies criticized the Trump administration's interim agreement to end the Iran war, citing concerns over lifting economic sanctions on Iran's oil sales and a $300 billion reconstruction fund. Trump defended the deal, calling critics 'fools' and denying the payment to Iran, while senators like Roger Wicker and Ted Cruz warned against financial concessions to Iran.

Republican senators and Trump allies criticized the Trump administration's agreement to end the Iran conflict, citing concerns over the $300 billion fund for Iran's reconstruction and lifting economic sanctions. Trump defended the deal on Truth Social, calling critics 'fools' and emphasizing 'Success, Lower Oil Prices, and Victory' as outcomes.

Sen. Roger Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stating it undermines the victories of Operation Epic Fury and conflicts with the President's goals.

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved a bill that would prohibit defense contractors from repurchasing their stock without prior approval from the Pentagon.

Congressional defense committees are restricting the Trump administration's ability to build U.S. Navy vessels in foreign shipyards by limiting presidential waiver authority under Title 10 section 8679. The proposed Fiscal Year 2027 defense policy bill allows the defense secretary to construct up to two non-combatant ships per class in allied foreign shipyards, with strict national security and reporting requirements. The bill's provisions align with the 2024 ICE Pact, a trilateral agreement involving the U.S., Canada, and Finland for Arctic icebreaker production.

Republicans in Congress are attempting to regain influence over the U.S. role in NATO by curbing President Trump's authority to remove troops from Europe through legislation. The Senate Armed Services Committee is working to limit this power as the White House reportedly plans troop moves.

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly stated there is a munitions issue amid the Iran war, countering Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's denial. Kelly explained that attacking over 10,000 targets with cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and bombs consumes significant munitions, which are not limitless.

The Senate Armed Services Committee rejected a provision in the annual defense policy bill that would have expanded coverage of fertility services, including IVF, for military members and their families. Senator Tammy Duckworth stated the provision aimed to provide troops with the same IVF access available to Congress members.

Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the Trump administration's proposal to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War in the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. The panel included the name change in closed-door deliberations over the bill.

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved a $1.14 trillion defense policy bill that establishes a combatant command for drones. The bill passed the committee with an 18-9 vote.

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved changing the Pentagon's name to the Department of War, advancing a rebranding effort initiated by President Donald Trump. The House Armed Services Committee also supported the change, signaling a strong chance of the name becoming law despite criticism from some lawmakers.

An amendment to create a Cyber Force was defeated in the Senate Armed Services Committee's vote on the fiscal 2027 national defense authorization bill. The 14-13 decision excluded the digital-focused service from the nearly $1.2 trillion legislation.

A Government Accountability Office report revealed that Camp East Montana, an immigrant detention center in Texas, wasted millions in federal funds and failed to meet safety standards. The facility, constructed under a $1.3 billion contract, faced tuberculosis outbreaks, detainee deaths, and inhumane conditions, prompting a lawsuit by the ACLU and criticism from congressional Democrats.

AI policy groups are urging House and Senate Armed Services Committee leaders to include safeguards in the National Defense Authorization Act regarding the military's use of lethal autonomous weapons. The groups, including Americans for Responsible Innovation, Alliance for Secure AI, and The AI Policy Network, called for added guardrails in the defense policy bill.

President Trump is considering a peace deal with Iran that would open the Strait of Hormuz and ease sanctions on the country. The proposal is causing a Republican debate in the Senate, led by Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker.

President Trump’s consideration of a peace deal with Iran, which would open the Strait of Hormuz and ease sanctions, is causing a Republican debate in the Senate, led by Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker.

Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is publicly pressuring President Trump against pursuing a deal with Iran, urging him to continue military pressure instead. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged some progress in ongoing negotiations with Iran while noting key issues remain unresolved, including Iran's uranium stockpile and future enrichment capabilities.

Senate Republican Chairman Roger Wicker is publicly pressuring President Trump against negotiating a weak deal with Iran, urging him to continue military pressure instead. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged some progress in ongoing negotiations with Tehran, though key issues remain unresolved including Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities. The comments reveal growing tension within Republican national security circles over whether to pursue diplomacy or continue military action.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker calls on President Trump to resume military strikes against Iran and complete destruction of Tehran's military capabilities. Wicker warns against pursuing a deal with Iran, urging Trump to 'finish the job' and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Army is dramatically restructuring its aviation strategy by cutting helicopter procurement funding and reducing pilot positions in favor of drone-heavy warfare, prompted by lessons from Ukraine and Middle East conflicts. Budget cuts include reducing Apache funding to $1.5 million, Black Hawk to $39.3 million, and Chinook to $210 million, while increasing drone and autonomous system investments. Congressional Democrats have expressed concern about divesting critical capabilities before validated replacements are available.

The U.S. Army is dramatically cutting helicopter procurement funding for fiscal year 2027, reducing Apache, Black Hawk, and Chinook programs while shifting resources toward drones and unmanned systems, based on lessons learned from Ukraine and Middle East conflicts. The military plans to eliminate approximately 6,500 aviation positions including pilots and maintainers. Congressional leaders have raised concerns about these cuts potentially weakening the aviation industrial base before validated replacements are ready.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced that Boeing's MQ-25A Stingray unmanned aircraft has been cleared for low-rate initial production and deployment after reaching milestone C. The carrier-based drone is designed to perform aerial refueling missions, relieving F/A-18 Super Hornets and extending the operational range of Carrier Strike Groups.

Admiral Brad Cooper stated that Iran is a significantly degraded threat, but still retains some capabilities. He made this statement before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Admiral Cooper is the commander of the U.S. Central Command.

Admiral Brad Cooper reported that US forces have destroyed over 90% of Iran's naval mines. The CENTCOM chief stated Iran's hold on the strait has weakened but threats still remain. This development comes from a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper will testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee about President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request. The hearing comes amid the Middle East conflict and a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran. Adm. Cooper's testimony will focus on the defense agency's posture.

Congress is losing oversight of Pentagon spending as the Trump administration bypasses the traditional appropriations process by funding $350 billion in defense programs through reconciliation bills that require only a majority Senate vote instead of 60 votes. Rep. Ken Calvert expressed concern that critical defense programs totaling tens of billions of dollars are being funded outside the normal Congressional review process, undermining legislative oversight responsibilities.

Senator Jack Reed stated that President Trump is weakened ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting is expected to discuss key issues. Senator Reed expressed concerns about the US position.

The Trump administration's claims of reducing drug flows into the US through attacks on civilian boats are baseless and phony, with experts calling the assertions laughable. The operation has killed over 185 civilians since September. The strikes are considered illegal and extrajudicial killings by experts.

Senator Jack Reed stated that there are no timeouts in the 60-day War Powers Act deadline, emphasizing that the language of the statutes does not provide for such timeouts. The statement was made regarding the Iran war's 60-day clock. Senator Reed is the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized President Trump's Iran strategy, stating the U.S. is in a 'much worse position' with Iran since the war began. Reed expressed skepticism about the president having a coherent plan for managing relations with Iran.

Two top US Republicans, chairs of the House and Senate armed services committees, criticize Germany's troop cuts, arguing that withdrawing 5,000 service personnel risks weakening deterrence against Russia.

Two top US Republicans warn that Germany's plan to withdraw 5,000 troops risks weakening deterrence against Russia, according to the chairs of the House and Senate armed services committees.

The chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services committees expressed concern over the potential withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany amid tensions between President Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Trump announced he is reviewing a possible reduction of U.S. troops in Germany.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, facing intense questioning from Democrats regarding the Pentagon budget and the war with Iran. The hearing highlighted contentious exchanges on national security and defense policies.

Senate Republicans are seeking clarification from the Trump administration on its interpretation of the 60-day War Powers Act clock regarding military actions against Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued the clock could pause during a ceasefire, a view supported by some Republicans but sharply rejected by Democrats as an attempt to avoid compliance. The debate mirrors past conflicts over war powers during the 2011 Libya campaign.