Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D‑IL) immediately backtracked after pressing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a concrete example of wasteful research the Defense Department should axe. Durbin challenged Hegseth before the Senate Appropriations Committee, asking him to name a “boondoggle in medical research & defense health.” Hegseth responded that he couldn’t go into details publicly but alluded to “marbles in the rear ends of cats, tens of millions of dollars” being a serious misallocation.
The hearing grew tense as Democrats urged Hegseth to justify budget changes tied to the Trump administration’s defense priorities. Durbin’s request for specifics fell flat amid laughter and awkward silence. The episode highlighted differing views on transparency and practicality in Pentagon spending.
Observers note that Hegseth’s reference to unnecessary animal testing resonates with broader GOP efforts to eliminate wasteful defense expenditures. In contrast, Democrats face criticism for pushing vague demands without actionable proposals.
This moment underscores tensions in Congress over Pentagon oversight, ethical research funding, and the balance between accountability and defense readiness.
