Top US military leaders face Congress over support for Ukraine and Israel

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed senators on Tuesday (Michael Probst/AP)

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman General CQ Brown Jr testified on Capitol Hill on Tuesday about the Pentagon’s $850 billion (€784 billion) budget for 2025 as questions remained as to whether politicians will support current spending needs for Ukraine or Israel.

The Senate hearing was the first time members on both sides were able to question the Pentagon’s top civilian and military leadership on the administration’s Israel strategy following Tel Aviv’s deadly strike on World Central Kitchen humanitarian aid workers in Gaza.