Sec. Pete Hegseth Testifies Before Senate Committee, Asks For More Pentagon Funding to be Approved

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: Sec. Pete Hegseth Testifies Before Senate Committee, Asks For More Pentagon Funding
Date: July 21, 2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Duration Covered: Approximately first 4 minutes of the episode

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Overview

This episode delivers a concise rundown of pressing national and international news, led by War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony before the Senate seeking increased Pentagon funding. The update extends to US-Lebanon relations, the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, severe weather impacting the Gulf Coast, financial news, a high-profile UK murder case, sweeping social media reforms in France, and warnings around illegal border crossings.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Senate Testimony for Additional Pentagon Funding

• Request for More Pentagon Funding

  • War Secretary Pete Hegseth appears before the Senate, strongly urging approval for $1.5 trillion in defense funds.
    • “1.5 trillion is what the president seeks and what we need to defend the country.” (Pete Hegseth, 00:16)
  • Hegseth emphasizes that readiness and training will suffer if additional funding is not approved.

• Senate Scrutiny and Public Dissent

  • Amid the hearing, protesters interrupt Hegseth, shouting to "end this war right now." (00:10)
  • Senator Patty Murray, committee vice chair, points out a contradiction:
    • “How is it possible if their capabilities were, quote, functionally destroyed three months earlier as she claimed?” (Senator Patty Murray, paraphrased by news anchor, 00:25)
  • Hegseth responds that, despite US efforts, Iran retains military capabilities, but is at “the weakest point militarily it has ever been in.” (00:36)

• Cost of War to Date

  • The ongoing conflict has cost over $37 billion according to Col. Scott. (00:41)

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2. US-Lebanon Relations and Iran-backed Hezbollah

• White House Diplomatic Meeting

  • President Trump meets with the Lebanese leader at the White House; discussions focus on strategies against Iran-backed Hezbollah.
    • “We have some very concrete plans already in store for that with others going in and helping.” (Unnamed official, 01:00)

• Regional Military Developments

  • Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah continues in southern Lebanon.
  • Hezbollah rejects a proposed peace deal with Israel and Iran, which would require their disarmament. (01:08)

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3. Severe Weather Update: Tropical Storm Bertha

• Storm Trajectory and Forecast
  • Tropical Storm Bertha approaches the western Florida Panhandle, expected to make landfall in southeastern Louisiana.
    • “Top winds have likely peaked at 60 miles per hour. The environment ahead is quite hostile so the winds are expected to decrease before it does indeed landfall tomorrow.” (Brian Norcross, Fox Weather, 01:17)
  • Storm location: 125 miles south of Panama City, FL; 200 miles southeast of Mobile, AL.
  • Second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. (01:36)

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4. Stock Market Update

• Market Movements
  • “Wall street computer chip and AI makers led the gains for stocks. The Dow added 385. The NASDAQ up 329.” (News anchor, 01:47)

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5. UK Political Murder Case

• Anne Widdicombe Case Details
  • Former UK politician Anne Widdicombe was found dead on July 9th; had been beaten with a hammer.
  • Suspect: 28-year-old Joshua Kerry, in custody and accused of “striking Widdicombe 21 times.” (Jonathan Savage, 02:25)
  • Attack captured by home security footage; potential political or terrorist motives are being investigated.

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6. France’s New Social Media Ban for Minors

• New Legislation
  • French lawmakers pass a bill banning social media use for children under 15, the first such law in the European Union.
    • “This legislation is one of the final major pieces of legislation before President Emmanuel Macron leaves office next year.” (News anchor, 02:57)
  • Bill also bans mobile phones in high schools; subject to a constitutional review that may delay its September implementation.

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7. Smuggling Concerns at US Border via Rideshare Services

• Border Patrol Warnings
  • Authorities caution that some drug and migrant smugglers are exploiting rideshare apps to move people into the US.
    • “Agents warn drivers who unknowingly transport illegal migrants could face alien smuggling or harboring charges.” (Brooke Taylor, 03:43)
  • Illegal crossings remain near historic lows.
  • Uber states driver safety is paramount, encouraging drivers to cancel if they feel unsafe.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Protesters’ Interruption:

  • “End this war right now.” (Protesters, 00:10)

• Funding Plea:

  • “1.5 trillion is what the president seeks and what we need to defend the country.” (Pete Hegseth, 00:16)

• Questioning the War's Necessity:

  • “How is it possible if their capabilities were, quote, functionally destroyed three months earlier as she claimed?” (Senator Patty Murray, para. 00:25)

• On Storm Bertha:

  • “Top winds have likely peaked at 60 miles per hour. The environment ahead is quite hostile so the winds are expected to decrease.” (Brian Norcross, 01:19)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – Secretary Pete Hegseth’s funding plea begins
• 00:10 – Protesters interrupt Senate hearing
• 00:16 – $1.5 trillion request detailed
• 00:25 – Senator Murray's questioning
• 00:36 – Hegseth's response on Iran's military capabilities
• 00:41 – War cost reported ($37 billion)
• 00:51 – Trump meets Lebanese leader; Hezbollah strategy
• 01:03 – Israel-Hezbollah conflict update
• 01:17 – Tropical Storm Bertha forecast (Brian Norcross)
• 01:36 – Storm’s current position
• 01:47 – Stock market summary
• 02:15 – UK politician Anne Widdicombe murder case introduced
• 02:25 – Security footage and motive investigation
• 02:57 – France passes social media ban for minors
• 03:35 – US Border Patrol warning about rideshare exploitation
• 03:59 – Uber's safety statement closed the segment

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Overall, this episode blends national security, global politics, and pressing domestic issues in the signature FOX News style—sharp, urgent, and comprehensive.

Transcript

[A]

He needs more money. I'm Lisa Lucera. FOX News War Secretary Pete Hegseth makes the case for additional funding as he appears before a Senate panel. End this war right now.

[B]

Protesters interrupted Secretary Hegseth, but he stressed the need for added funds. 1.5 trillion is what the president seeks and what we need to defend the country. The secretary said readiness and training would suffer without it. But committee vice chair Senator Patty Murray noted irony in the need for more money. How is it possible if their capabilities were, quote, functionally destroyed three months earlier as she claimed? Hegseth said Iran still has capabilities, but because of the US Iran is at the weakest point militarily it has ever been in. Hegseth said the cost of the war so far, more than $37 billion, says Col. Scott.

[A]

President Trump sitting down with the leader of Lebanon at the White House. One of the topics discussed, the fight against Iran backed Hezbollah. We have some very concrete plans already

[C]

in store for that with others going in and helping.

[A]

This comes as Israel continues to battle Hezbollah and parts of southern Lebanon. The group also rejects a potential peace deal between Israel and Iran, which they would where they would be disarmed. Tropical Storm Bertha getting closer to the western Florida panhandle.

[C]

It'll pass Alabama and Mississippi and make landfall late tomorrow in southeastern Louisiana. Top winds have likely peaked at 60 miles per hour. The environment ahead is quite hostile so the winds are expected to decrease before it does. Indeed landfall tomorrow.

[A]

Fox weather is Brian Norcross. The storm is about 125 miles south of Panama City, Florida and 200 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama. Bertha is the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Wall street computer chip and AI makers led the gains for stocks. The Dow added 385. The NASDAQ up 329. America is listening to Fox News.

[D]

Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FNRAD RADIO 2020% discount excludes wine club offers and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Expires July 31, 2026. Must be 21. Order to order. Please drink responsibly.

[A]

Prosecutors in the UK release more information on the killing of a former politician.

[E]

Anne Widdicom's body was found in her kitchen on July 9th. A day earlier, prosecutors say the 78 year old had been beaten to death with a hammer. 28 year old Joshua Kerry's appeared in court accused of murdering the former conservative government minister. Prosecutors say Kerry struck Widdicombe 21 times. The attack was caught on security camera footage in her home. Police are still investigating whether there was a terrorist or political motive. In recent years, Widecombe was a high profile spokeswoman for the Reform UK Party. Joshua Kerry has yet to enter a plea. Jonathan Savage, FOX News as concerns grow

[A]

worldwide over the harmful effects of digital content on kids, lawmakers in France have adopted a bill that bans children under 15 from using social media, making it the first country in the European Union to do so. The bill also bans the use of mobile phones in high schools. This legislation is one of the final major pieces of legislation before President Emmanuel Macron leaves office next year. He wants the law to take effect at the start of the new school year in September. But a review to see whether the law complies with the French Constitution. It's likely to take place and that could delay it. Authorities are warning that some drug smugglers are using rideshare services to move migrants

[F]

into the US Border Patrol, warning drivers to be on the lookout out for pickup requests that are in remote areas near the border, third party bookings or passengers who look disoriented or covered in dirt. Now, all this comes as illegal crossings remain near historic lows. Agents warn drivers who unknowingly transport illegal migrants could face alien smuggling or harboring charges.

[A]

Fox's Brooke Taylor in Dallas. Uber tells FOX News the safety of its drivers is a top priority and that they are allowed to cancel any ride in which they feel unsafe. I'm Lisa Licera. This is FOX NEWS.