#military-oversight

#military-oversight

The US Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve its annual defence budget on Wednesday, authorising $901bn in military spending while also pressing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to hand over video footage of military strikes on suspected drug-running boats in international waters close to Venezuela. The fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a 3.8 percent pay rise for service members, advanced through Congress with broad support from both parties.

And now, in what may be his most career-defining moment yet, Hegseth is confronting questions about the use of military force and demands he release the videotapes after a special operations team reportedly attacked survivors of a strike on an alleged drug boat off the coast of Venezuela. Some lawmakers and legal experts say the second strike would have violated the laws of armed conflict.

"Your continued threats will not intimidate me or keep me from doing my job, which includes oversight of the executive branch," Kelly said on X Sunday. "Stop the threats of execution, hanging, and sending a mob before someone gets hurt." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said last week: "I've never seen a president or heard of a president who has done more to encourage political violence."