Hi there, everybody. It is just after 4 p.m. in the east. We are going to return to Capitol Hill to watch what is taking place there in just a moment. Pete Heggseth is testifying to use before the Senate Appropriations Committee asking for money for Donald Trump's deeply unpopular and deadly war with Iran.

As that war appears to be spiraling out of the Trump administration's control,

its popularity plunging, and money and munitions for it running low.

Pete Hegg says testimony today represents the first time he's answered

Senator's questions about the conflict of months,

and it comes amid a rather dire budget crunch.

The Washington Post reports this, quote,

The Pentagon faces an urgent budget shortfall

caused largely by the war in Iran

with some critical lines of funding set to run out within weeks,

even as Donald Trump escalates the conflict with Tehran.

That is, according to lawmakers and current and former U.S. officials.

The Trump administration is seeking $80 billion with a B to cover the cost of fighting

and to replenish the depleted weapons supplies.

Despite Donald Trump's money problems, he is still eyeing a potential escalation of the war with Iran.

On that, Axios reports this, quote, Trump is nearing a decisive fork in the Iran war,

with U.S. and Israeli officials envisioning only two viable end games. Option one, pursue a new 10-day

ceasefire aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Option two, launch a massive joint military campaign with Israel to force Tehran's

capitulation. Trump hasn't made a decision yet, but officials believe the next few days will

determine which path prevails. The little room left for the grinding, open-ended conflict now

paralyzing the Gulf. And while Donald Trump contemplates getting us into or trying to get us

out of the kind of forever war, he vowed never to involve the United States in without any money

...